Clay Alton Colson, 93, of Brodhead, passed away at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital in Somerset on October 12, 2009 surrounded by his family.
Born on July 3, 1916 in OK, Ky., he was the son of McGarvey E. Colson and Bessie Ann Colson (nee Littrell). Raised near Clarence, he graduated from Eubank High School which he reached by riding a mule.
He married Nellie Foster Kluttz on November 1, 1937 in Lexington and they were married for 68 years before she passed away in 2005. Together they had four sons — William of Hastings of Nebraska, Robert of Westport, Conn., Charles of Salt Lake City, Utah and David of Brodhead, Ky.
After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from Berea College in 1937, Colson received a Master of Science in Agronomy from the University of Kentucky. In 2004, Colson was named the Kentucky College of Agriculture Alumni Association Wilderness Trail Area Lifetime Award Achievement winner. While pursuing his Master’s degree, he worked as a County Agent for the
Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service before joining the Navy in approximately 1944. After the war, he served in the U. S. Naval Reserve, commanding the Navy Electronics Division 5-3 in Danville. He retired from the Navy Reserves with the rank of Lieutenant in 1965.
Colson joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service in 1947 and served as the Rockcastle County Soil Conservationist for 31 years. Following his retirement, he farmed full time on Brindle Ridge, raising Black Angus cattle and hogs, and was the first in the area to no-till corn.
He was a member of the Rockcastle County Beef Cattle Association; the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association and served as an officer of the Kentucky Cattleman’s Association. He was also a founding member of the Rockcastle County Industrial Development organization and of the Rockcastle County Country Club. olson also served on the Board of Directors of various farm credit associations, including the Mid- America Farm Credit Association, formerly known as the Federal Land Bank.
As a member of the 76 Quartet, a popular gospel group in the day, he performed in Renfro Valley, on WRVK radio and in various venues in Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia. An active member of the Brodhead Christian Church for over 60 years, he taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and served as a deacon, an elder and a trustee. Colson was instrumental in founding the Kentucky Christian Assembly and ultimately donated the land the campground now occupies. In addition he was a charter member of the Brodhead Lions Club, active in the Brodhead Fire Department, and a 60 Year Mason. Horseback riding was one of his passions and he was an active member of the Rockcastle County Saddle Club, participating in the annual 100-mile ride well into his 80s.
In addition to his sons, he is survived by his brother Barkley Colson of Somerset, 10 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will take place at the Marvin E. Owens Funeral Home in Brodhead from 5 p.m. on Friday, October 16 and the funeral service will be held at the Brodhead Christian Church at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 17.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kentucky Christian Assembly, P.O. Box 71, Brodhead Ky. 40409, or the charity of one’s choosing.
