Obituary of Clarence Brown

Clarence Odell Brown died in Roanoke VA on October 28, 2011, six months after suffering a medical error following surgery. He was born the sixth of nine children on December 17, 1927, in Leesville VA to Colegate Dennis Brown and Ethel Anne Cundiff Brown. Odell served in the US Navy during World War II and was stationed in the Philippines preparing for the invasion of Japan. When the war ended, while serving out his enlistment at Philadelphia Shipyard, he met Nancy Keller. They married in 1948 and settled in Philadelphia. He joined the Marines for one year, was granted an early honorable discharge, and left to start a family with Nancy. They had four childrenLinda, Steven, Mark and Michael. He worked many years as a machinist for Standard Pressed Steel until he tried to organize a union. He moved the family to Roanoke VA to accept a management position at Universal Ball, a ball-bearing manufacturer. After three years, Nancy persuaded Odell to return to PA where he managed screw manufacturer Keystone Screw for three years before changing careers and joining Reed Rolled Thread in Sales. His expertise in this field was legendary and he was often called to consult on difficult projects all over the country. He didn't mind getting his hands dirty, even after he became the company's southern Regional Sales Manager. The job moved the family to Worcester MA, Blue Bell TN, and Charlotte NC. After retirement in 1988, he played golf almost daily at Crystal Springs (where his nickname was "Moose" and he scored his only hole-in-one) until he inexplicably decided to give up golf entirely. He briefly started his own business, Lakeland Bolt, in FL but family pulled him back to NC. He told Nancy that it was time for him to return to his boyhood home, so they moved to Huddleston. After a good life in VA for several years, Nancy missed her family and persuaded Odell to return to NC. In 2000, Nancy suffered a catastrophic stroke. Odell was with her every day until she passed away in 2002. After Nancy's death, Odell moved back to VA. As a retiree, he was active in Ruritan, Moose, VFW, Huddleston Seniors and Moneta Seniors, drove for Bedford Ride, umpired Little League baseball, pulled for the Phillies and the Braves, fancied a bit of legal gamblingespecially on the horsesand enjoyed his bingo and Rook buddies. He helped start the weekly county-music dances at the Huddleston Ruritan Club and attended almost every Friday nightthe last just before his surgery. He was an unabashed Democrat and was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. Odell was predeceased by his parents; his wife of 53 years; his son, Mark, who died shortly after premature birth; and his brothers, Lewis, Dennis, Lonnie, Brat, Pete and Paul. He is survived by his children, Linda and Guy Brooks of Charlotte, Steve Brown and his wife, Pam Stamey of Dothan AL, and Mike and LeeAnn Brown of Charlotte; grandchildren Courtenay and her husband Philip Constable, Kyle, Nash, Jamie and Justin Brown; and great-grandchildren Liza Constable and Jackson Brown. He is also survived by his brother Fred and his wife Lottie Brown of Lynchburg, sister Agnes Krantz of Huddleston, step-grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Special thanks to his best friend, Mary Pauline Mattox, who spent every day by his bedside and cared for him as if she were his personal nurse. They had many good times together before his surgery, and he looked forward to her daily visits. The family will be eternally grateful to her for her loving care. Family and friends will be received at Updike Funeral Home in Huddleston on Friday, November 4, from 6-8 pm. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 11 am at Updike Funeral Chapel, Huddleston with Rev. David Bayse officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church Cemetery.