Clifford D. Brees

Clifford D. Brees
March 04, 1931 - August 25, 2010
Keota, formerly of Cedar Rapids
Memorial Service: 2:00 p.m. August 29, 2010 at First Lutheran Church -- Cedar Rapids, IA
Visitation: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. August 29, 2010 at First Lutheran Church -- Cedar Rapids, IA
Interment: 7:00 p.m. August 29, 2010 at Keota Cemetery
Clifford D. Brees, age 79, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died August 25, 2010 at his home in Keota. Clifford was born March 4, 1931, in Rockford, Ill, to Clifford and Ruth Brees. He graduated from East High in Rockford in 1949. He earned his BA from Iowa Wesleyan in 1952 and his Master's Degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1962. On June 8, 1952 he married Joan Jacobs in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. They were married for 58 years. Cliff began his teaching career in New London, then taught in Rockford for 8 years at East High School and 5 years at Guilford High School, where he also served as Athletic Director. He coached football, basketball, track and baseball. In 1967 he and his family moved to Cedar Rapids, where he became the PE Department Head and the Athletic Director. The 8 years Cliff was the Washington Athletic Director was one of the most successful periods in the history of the school, and perhaps any school in Iowa. Washington won 27 Mississippi Valley Conference (MVC) championships and 19 State Team championships. Cliff also served as the MVC Commissioner for 20 years. He also taught elementary physical education throughout the district. Cliff received the Marv Theilen Contributor Award in 1989, the IHSAA School Administrator's Award in 1992, was inducted into the C.R. Washington High School Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Iowa Wesleyan College Football Hall of Fame in 2007. He received a 25-year active official plaque from the ISHAA in 1995 and is the namesake of the annual MVC Sportsmanship Award. While Clifford was extremely accomplished academically, he was equally an honorable and well-loved family man and a good friend to many. He will be missed. He will be remembered always. Survivors include his wife, Joan; sons: Scott (Tami) and Kip (Susan Cahill); grandchildren: Katie (Chris) Button and Cameron (Kristin) Brees; great grandchildren: Tracy and Madison, and one sister. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, one sister and a grandson Brent Brees Visitation is Sunday, August 29th at 1:00 pm at the First Lutheran Church at 1000 3rd Ave. SE in Cedar Rapids, with Memorial Service following at 2:00. Burial is at 7:00 at the Keota Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Brent Brees Memorial Scholarship Fund. Mail donations to Clifford Brees at PO Box 27204, Prescott Valley, Az 86312. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is caring for Clifford and his family. Condolences may be e-mailed to www.powellfuneralhomes.com.