Claud H. Brown Jr., Eagle Scout, worked for the Chickasaw Council of the Boy Scouts of America for 31 years. He helped open the Boy Scout Shop on Hollywood and oversaw the direction of camp Kia Kima for seven years. After battling cancer, Mr. Brown died Monday at Baptist East Hospital. He was 56. "Claud just believed in the ideals of Scouting," said Gilvia Brown, his wife. "He believed in helping people." Mr. Brown was a Scout in his youth and returned to the organization after graduating from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1968. "He dedicated his life to the Scouts, said Nelie Brown Waller, his sister. "He chose the Scouts for his career." At Kia Kima, just outside of Hardy, Ark., Mr. Brown established the rope course, which teaches scouts how to climb trees and large towers.Mr. Brown also started a canoe course on the Spring River at Kia Kima. "I think Claud loved working outdoors and the hiking and outdoor skill he developed and helped others learn," said his wife.
He was the Scout Master of troops 86 and 55. "He was always great with children," Waller said. "My kids loved him. They considered him more of a sibling than an uncle."
Mr. Brown received the God and Country Award and was a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow, an honor society for experienced campers. He was a member and deacon of Second Presbyterian Church. In addition to his wife and sister, Mr. Brown leaves a son, Cannon Ford Brown and his father, Claud H. Brown. Services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday [June 13, 2002] at Second Presbyterian Church with burial in Memorial Park. Memphis Funeral Home Poplar Chapel has charge. The family requests that memorials be sent to Boy Scouts of America Chickasaw Council. (Published in The Commercial Appeal 6-12-2002)