Clayton Brown

Clayton E. Brown, rural Nevis MN, died December 10, 2012 at his home, after a short fight with cancer.

Clayton was born August 5, 1941 to Henrietta (Koppleman) and Harvey Brown in Duluth, MN. Clayton was raised in Jamestown, ND and graduated from Jamestown High School in 1959. He joined the U.S. Army in October 1959 and served 3 years in the artillery, mostly in Germany.

Clayton married Catherine (Kay) Ann Burchill in August 1964 in Jamestown, and they were very happily married until Kay died in 1997. Clay and Kay loved to travel and spent a lot of time in the United Kingdom.

Clayton enrolled at the University of North Dakota in the fall of 1964. Clayton received his undergraduate degree from UND and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Texas-Austin.

After graduate school Clayton worked as a deputy City Manager in Phoenix, AZ and Palo Alto, CA. In July 1977 Clayton was hired as the City Manager for Pleasanton CA, where he served in that capacity until February 1980. Clayton went to work for Ralph Anderson and Associates in Sacramento, CA, where he eventually purchased the firm in 1987. Clayton’s firm did business throughout the United States. He sold the firm and retired in 1998.

Following Kay’s death in 1997, Clayton traveled around Europe, playing golf at many notable courses. He spent a considerable part of his time in the UK and Scotland with his friends. Clay would vacation every year in the Park Rapids area, until February of 2005 when he sold his home in Fair Oaks, CA and moved to the shores of Dead Lake, NW of Nevis MN. Clay continued his love of the game of golf by playing nearly daily rounds during the season at Blueberry Pines Golf Course. Clay also spent a lot of time fishing and learning the ways of the fish in the north. He had a true appreciation for books and was very well read. Clay thoroughly enjoyed his workshop and many hours were devoted to building and refinishing items for himself and his family.

Clayton was a wonderful host and was always opening his house to family and friends. Everyone wanted to spend time with Clay “at the lake”.

Clayton is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Malcolm and Carol, Mandan ND; his nephew and his wife, Chris and Jodi, Mandan ND; and his niece Stephanie Lathrop, her husband Bret and their son Cole, Orting WA. He is preceded in death by his father and mother.

Memorials to St. Joseph’s Hospice, Park Rapids MN, would be appropriate.

Friends may leave online condolences at

ceasefuneralhome.com

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