Mr. Party won't let gunpoint robbery keep him down

Eric Lacy | Lansing State Journal

LANSING - The party could've ended tragically about 3 a.m. Sunday outside a Speedway gas station on the 1900 block of East Michigan Avenue.

Luther William Brown Sr., nicknamed "Mr. Party," stared at the barrel of a handgun as he tried to fill his motor home with gas. An unidentified black male, one Brown said appeared to be in his 20s, demanded all the lifelong Lansing resident's cash.

The stocky man bolted out of the parking lot with a measly $38. Lansing Police Public Information Officer Robert Merritt wrote in an e-mail Wednesday morning to the Lansing State Journal that he would check to see if there was any updates on the investigation. An update wasn't provided.

The 63-year-old Brown, also known as "The Ambassador of Celebration," said he refuses to live in fear. He's motivated to embrace even tighter his unique image that's made him a capital city icon for over 30 years. There's no point to call it quits now.

"There will always be Mr. Party; it's all based on myself and my character," said Brown, who wasn't injured in the incident and describes his motor home as a "mobile office." "I'll continue as Mr. Party, just as Mickey Mouse continues running all over the place."

Brown's compassion for others and love of for the community haven't gone unnoticed. He's a tuxedo-clad catalyst of fun who often does simple things like deliver words of advice, take pictures of couples and sell a scented rose. Those acts often bring much-needed smiles after a bar closes or an event ends.

Brown's friend, Mark King has witnessed Mr. Party's unique style at work since the late 80s. He acted swiftly this week to offer support after his friend's uncomfortable incident at the gas station, starting a fundraiser in his name.

The gofundme.com "Bless Mr. Party ten fold" page raised, as of 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, $760 from 42 people in less than three days. The original goal was $380 — 10 times the amount Brown handed over to the gun-toting man at the gas station.

"He brings a value to the community that's beyond money," said King, an event promoter who splits time between Lansing and Detroit. "And that's what I want everybody to see. He's had an impact, one photo and one rose at a time."

Brown, as Mr. Party, sells "scented designer roses" for $5, $10 and $15. He takes photos for $10 and is known for the slogan "You know how good you look because you had your picture took."

King, 46, got to know Brown in Lansing while he was a student at Lansing Community College and later at Michigan State University. King considers Brown, a former computer technician, a valued member of Lansing's entertainment community that includes event promoters, club and bar owners, musicians and wait staff.

Brown is known to make his rounds at bars, clubs and restaurants in downtown Lansing and beyond. The Mr. Party website, mrpartycelebrationservice.com, mentions he was chosen in 1987 to perform as the "host and official greeter" for the City of Lansing's grand opening of the Lansing Center.

The website also mentions he was picked a year later to be master of ceremonies for Michigan's African-American Festival in Kalamazoo. He's available for appearances at special events and celebrations as a "diplomat of good times and social happiness."

Tony Baltimore, 38, another lifelong city resident, recalls having Mr. Party show up as a surprise guest for one of his birthday parties. Baltimore said the local icon never appears to forget a face or event he participated in, and he describes Mr. Party as "a guy you never see unhappy."

That's why it's difficult for Baltimore to understand why someone would rob Brown, who gives off relentless positive energy. Brown told the Lansing State Journal the man who robbed him recognized him as Mr. Party and even asked how much the roses he sells cost before the theft took place.

"When people come to the city and they visit Lansing's nightlife, they are going to find him," Baltimore said. "That's what makes the robbery so tragic. The guy would give his tuxedo if you asked for it; that's just the kind of guy he is."

King, the event promoter, said Brown's impact as Mr. Party shouldn't be underestimated. His friend just has a way to turn what could've been a bad night around with a scented rose or snap of a camera. Some of Mr. Party's favorite hot spots over the years include The Green Door and Gregory's, especially when the bar was downtown.

"I remember times when he made the day," King said laughing, when asked about his fondest Mr. Party memories. "If your girl was mad at you, he had the instant romance kit. He sells flowers, he takes couples' pictures. He's saved a lot of relationships."

Brown won't take a break from Lansing nightlife. His next appearance as Mr. Party was scheduled for Tuesday night at The Green Door for "Turntable Tuesday." Mr. Party said he was scheduled to co-host a night of live music with a group of DJs called The Scratch Pilots, known for their love of spinning vinyl records.

Brown said the support he's received after getting robbed while pumping gas has made him feel "thoroughly honored and humbled." He plans to reinvest all the money received from the gofundme effort back into the community through an organization that promotes leadership and life skills.

Brown hopes he can remind young people — like the one who robbed him — that crime isn't the answer.

"I always say that friendship is a lot more valuable than money," Brown said.

Brown didn't think the man who took his money thought about killing him. But Brown did fear the man's shaking fingers wrapped around the handgun had a chance to make the gun go off accidentally. Reflecting on his own mortality, Brown said wishes no ill will toward the man and discourages an effort on Facebook from a small group that wants to find the person who committed the crime.

"I realized a long time ago that I was conceived, loved and brought forth with a purpose," Brown said. "My purpose is to do what I'm doing. While it's nice to be important, it's more important to be nice."

Eric Lacy is a reporter for the Lansing State Journal. Contact him at (517) 377-1206 or elacy@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter@EricLacy.