Obituary for Clayton Darnell Brown
Clayton Brown
Peacefully on February 20, 2023 after an extremely courageous battle with cancer, with his loving wife by his side, Clayton Brown age 52 of Stonewall.
Cherishing Clayton’s memory are his wife Leanne and children Liam (Alyssa), Annika, Kael and Sari. His parents Colin and Florence; sister Brenda (Ron); brothers Rodney (Stephanie) and Craig (Lenore). His in-laws Elmer and Linda Nickel and brothers-in-law Dan, Jason (Tamsyn) and Kevin (Kerri-Jo) as well as numerous nephews, nieces and great-nephews.
Clayton was born December 22, 1970 and grew up on the family farm near Moosehorn. He attended school in Moosehorn up to grade 9 and completed high school in Ashern. It was during these school years that he first met Leanne.
While attending high school Clayton worked part-time at the Texaco gas station in Ashern. Even at this young age Clayton’s infectious personality was winning people over. His boss often remarked what an asset Clayton was for business and how the customers appreciated the time Clayton took to interact with them – something not always done by kids his age.
Clayton was always a good student but his marks were not high enough to win any awards at graduation. However the vice-principal saw something in Clayton that so many more people throughout Clayton’s life would see, and that was his special gift of being able to connect with people. So much so that the school created and sponsored the one-time only “People Person Award”. Clayton was rightfully very proud of that award, and he never did cash that cheque!
After graduating, Clayton moved to Winnipeg where he worked for a short stint at Safeway Cold Storage followed by a year and a half at Boeing.
Although Clayton had the ability to squeeze every ounce of fun out of a day, he was never in a rush to greet a new one. (When he was younger) his ability to stay in bed until the last precise second without actually being late became an exact science.
Clayton was never much of a worrier either, believing that things would always work themselves out. True enough, on the very same day that Clayton received his lay-off notice from Boeing, he came home to find out he had been accepted into the RCMP.
Clayton and Leanne married In August 1992. At this time, he was still completing language training in Montreal and then went on to Depot (training) in Regina after that. His first RCMP posting was in MacLennan, AB, living there for 5 years followed by another 5 years in Manning. Eventually the pull of family was just too strong, and Clayton, Leanne, Liam and Annika came back to Manitoba where Kael and Sari were born. Working first in Swan River, then Teulon-Gimli, Selkirk and D Division headquarters in Winnipeg. Many lifelong friendships were formed in each of these postings and Clayton was thankful for the opportunity to reconnect with so many of these friends in the past few months.
Clayton took great pride in his law enforcement career. His diligence and dedication earned Clayton the respect of his peers and saw him rise to the rank of Staff-Sergeant. Clayton enjoyed all his postings, but it was his work in Major Crimes that he enjoyed the most.
Clayton was a dedicated father, covering countless miles shuttling the kids to their various sporting activities. Whether it was hockey, baseball, swimming, lacrosse or dance, Clayton was always there. He treasured these times with his kids and took great pride in their accomplishments. It was also through these activities that Clayton formed some of his strongest friendships with the parents of the other kids.
Clayton loved a good argument. He had thick skin and could take a joke better than most. You always knew when he entered the room, as the volume level would go up a notch or two! A lot of that was Clayton but a good part of it was also the ribbing and jabs directed his way. And he loved every minute of it. The only topic off limits was his beloved Chicago Blackhawks. If you wanted to dump on the Hawks you’d better be prepared for 101 reasons why you were wrong!
One of Clayton’s favorite pastimes was spending time with friends. He was the glue that held so many groups together, often planning the next get-together before the current one had hardly got started. Be it a golf week-end, a concert, poker game or family firepit, he lived to be surrounded by those he loved. A rum, some laughs and some music, and don’t forget the ice! and Clayton was content.
Clayton also enjoyed spending time in the kitchen, carrying on many of his Mom’s recipes. He also acquired her love of canning, each year making several dozen jars of dill pickles. But it all took a backseat to making buckwheat sausage. So much so that it became an annual event with family and friends. Oh, how Clayton loved an event and an excuse to get together!
Clayton was thankful he was here to see Liam get his real estate license this year. He knew Liam could accomplish anything he set his mind to and recognized that Liam inherited his gift of connecting with people.
Clayton was also grateful for the chance he had this past spring to drive Annika and Sari to Michigan to see a music concert. Being the protective father that he was, Clayton refused to let the girls drive themselves. Truthfully, he was thankful for the opportunity to let the girls know there was nothing he wouldn’t do for them.
Clayton enjoyed hunting, but again it was more the social side of the activity he enjoyed the most. An excuse to spend a few days with friends was more important than having a successful hunt. He was especially pleased that Kael took an interest in hunting. This past fall Clayton was insistent that he have one more hunt with Kael. Even though his health was hindering his ability to take part in the hunt as much as he would have liked, the opportunity to do it one more time made it the most successful hunting trip he ever had.
Clayton and Leanne were fortunate to do some travelling with their children. Camping trips and trips with family and friends to Mexico, The Black Hills, Disney World and weekends to the cabin were cherished by all. Clayton was especially excited to spend some time at our newly purchased home in Steep Rock where plans were made to reconnect with his home routes, family and friends.
The courage with which Clayton faced his illness was truly inspirational. He saw it as an opportunity to let those closest to him know how much he loved them and he was grateful that it gave those around him a chance to do the same. He was a believer and took comfort knowing we will one day meet again.
We’ll miss you, Clayton. You left us way too soon, but we are forever thankful for the years we had together. True wealth is not measured in dollars and cents, but by friendships created, laughter shared and memories made. By this standard Clayton left us as the wealthiest man in the world!
Until we meet again Clay.
Peacefully on February 20, 2023 after an extremely courageous battle with cancer, with his loving wife by his side, Clayton Brown age 52 of Stonewall.
Cherishing Clayton’s memory are his wife Leanne and children Liam (Alyssa), Annika, Kael and Sari. His parents Colin and Florence; sister Brenda (Ron); brothers Rodney (Stephanie) and Craig (Lenore). His in-laws Elmer and Linda Nickel and brothers-in-law Dan, Jason (Tamsyn) and Kevin (Kerri-Jo) as well as numerous nephews, nieces and great-nephews.
Clayton was born December 22, 1970 and grew up on the family farm near Moosehorn. He attended school in Moosehorn up to grade 9 and completed high school in Ashern. It was during these school years that he first met Leanne.
While attending high school Clayton worked part-time at the Texaco gas station in Ashern. Even at this young age Clayton’s infectious personality was winning people over. His boss often remarked what an asset Clayton was for business and how the customers appreciated the time Clayton took to interact with them – something not always done by kids his age.
Clayton was always a good student but his marks were not high enough to win any awards at graduation. However the vice-principal saw something in Clayton that so many more people throughout Clayton’s life would see, and that was his special gift of being able to connect with people. So much so that the school created and sponsored the one-time only “People Person Award”. Clayton was rightfully very proud of that award, and he never did cash that cheque!
After graduating, Clayton moved to Winnipeg where he worked for a short stint at Safeway Cold Storage followed by a year and a half at Boeing.
Although Clayton had the ability to squeeze every ounce of fun out of a day, he was never in a rush to greet a new one. (When he was younger) his ability to stay in bed until the last precise second without actually being late became an exact science.
Clayton was never much of a worrier either, believing that things would always work themselves out. True enough, on the very same day that Clayton received his lay-off notice from Boeing, he came home to find out he had been accepted into the RCMP.
Clayton and Leanne married In August 1992. At this time, he was still completing language training in Montreal and then went on to Depot (training) in Regina after that. His first RCMP posting was in MacLennan, AB, living there for 5 years followed by another 5 years in Manning. Eventually the pull of family was just too strong, and Clayton, Leanne, Liam and Annika came back to Manitoba where Kael and Sari were born. Working first in Swan River, then Teulon-Gimli, Selkirk and D Division headquarters in Winnipeg. Many lifelong friendships were formed in each of these postings and Clayton was thankful for the opportunity to reconnect with so many of these friends in the past few months.
Clayton took great pride in his law enforcement career. His diligence and dedication earned Clayton the respect of his peers and saw him rise to the rank of Staff-Sergeant. Clayton enjoyed all his postings, but it was his work in Major Crimes that he enjoyed the most.
Clayton was a dedicated father, covering countless miles shuttling the kids to their various sporting activities. Whether it was hockey, baseball, swimming, lacrosse or dance, Clayton was always there. He treasured these times with his kids and took great pride in their accomplishments. It was also through these activities that Clayton formed some of his strongest friendships with the parents of the other kids.
Clayton loved a good argument. He had thick skin and could take a joke better than most. You always knew when he entered the room, as the volume level would go up a notch or two! A lot of that was Clayton but a good part of it was also the ribbing and jabs directed his way. And he loved every minute of it. The only topic off limits was his beloved Chicago Blackhawks. If you wanted to dump on the Hawks you’d better be prepared for 101 reasons why you were wrong!
One of Clayton’s favorite pastimes was spending time with friends. He was the glue that held so many groups together, often planning the next get-together before the current one had hardly got started. Be it a golf week-end, a concert, poker game or family firepit, he lived to be surrounded by those he loved. A rum, some laughs and some music, and don’t forget the ice! and Clayton was content.
Clayton also enjoyed spending time in the kitchen, carrying on many of his Mom’s recipes. He also acquired her love of canning, each year making several dozen jars of dill pickles. But it all took a backseat to making buckwheat sausage. So much so that it became an annual event with family and friends. Oh, how Clayton loved an event and an excuse to get together!
Clayton was thankful he was here to see Liam get his real estate license this year. He knew Liam could accomplish anything he set his mind to and recognized that Liam inherited his gift of connecting with people.
Clayton was also grateful for the chance he had this past spring to drive Annika and Sari to Michigan to see a music concert. Being the protective father that he was, Clayton refused to let the girls drive themselves. Truthfully, he was thankful for the opportunity to let the girls know there was nothing he wouldn’t do for them.
Clayton enjoyed hunting, but again it was more the social side of the activity he enjoyed the most. An excuse to spend a few days with friends was more important than having a successful hunt. He was especially pleased that Kael took an interest in hunting. This past fall Clayton was insistent that he have one more hunt with Kael. Even though his health was hindering his ability to take part in the hunt as much as he would have liked, the opportunity to do it one more time made it the most successful hunting trip he ever had.
Clayton and Leanne were fortunate to do some travelling with their children. Camping trips and trips with family and friends to Mexico, The Black Hills, Disney World and weekends to the cabin were cherished by all. Clayton was especially excited to spend some time at our newly purchased home in Steep Rock where plans were made to reconnect with his home routes, family and friends.
The courage with which Clayton faced his illness was truly inspirational. He saw it as an opportunity to let those closest to him know how much he loved them and he was grateful that it gave those around him a chance to do the same. He was a believer and took comfort knowing we will one day meet again.
We’ll miss you, Clayton. You left us way too soon, but we are forever thankful for the years we had together. True wealth is not measured in dollars and cents, but by friendships created, laughter shared and memories made. By this standard Clayton left us as the wealthiest man in the world!
Until we meet again Clay.