Clair J. Brown, WONFM, 94 of Solon, went to be with the Lord Monday morning, March 12, 2007 after a short illness.  Services will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 14 at Brosh Chapel in Solon, with Rev. Renee Lunemann presiding.  Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday before the service at the chapel.

Clair was born September 30, 1912 in Solon, the son of Julius and Josie (Harman) Brown.  He married Alma Bulechek on May 5, 1936 in Iowa City.  Clair and his wife farmed the family farm southeast of Solon for many years.  Clair had his own seed corn business and raised cattle and a few horses.

Clair had many interests throughout his life.  At the age of ten he built his first tube radio receiver from plans he found in a magazine at country school.  Soon after, he went to Chicago to get his first amateur radio license, which led to a lifelong hobby involving Ham radio.  He enjoyed photography and shooting motion pictures.  Clair was member of the Iowa Mountaineers and climbed 163 different mountains in the United States and Canada.  In the summer of 1961, Clair and the late Hans Gmoser climbed a new route up the south face of Mount Louie in Canada.  In 1966 he was pictured in National Geographic while on his Devil's Tower climb.  Clair loved taking his two steam engines to Mount Pleasant for The Old Threshers Reunion for many years.  In 1997 his engine was awarded Engine of the Year.  Clair worked for the Conservation Corps Camp on the Lake Macbride Project.  He also served six and a half years on the Solon School Board, four of which he was president.

Clair is survived by his daughters Evelyn (James) Calef of Solon, and Linda (Gerald) VonStein of Solon; four grandchildren: James (Denise) Calef of North Liberty, Sara (Joe) McNertney of Latimer, Mark VonStein of North Liberty, and Sharon VonStein of North Liberty; one great grandchild Hannah McNertney, and his faithful dog, Mindy.  He was preceded in death by his parents Julius G. and Josie (Harman) Brown; his wife Alma (Bulechek) Brown on October 19, 2003; and his twin sister Clara M. Brown.

A memorial fund has been established in his name.