Jay mourns the loss of fireman

The town of Jay is mourning the death of 27-year-old Clay Brown, who lost his life when the 2016 Ford F-150 he was driving struck a utility pole and drainage ditch last Saturday morning.

According to an Alabama Law Enforcement Agency report, Brown was traveling southbound on State Road 87 around 2:35 a.m., approaching the intersection with County Road 87A when for unknown reasons, the vehicle left the roadway and collided with the ditch and pole.

Brown, the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. No other vehicles were involved in the crash and the report said Brown was not wearing his seatbelt.

"Clay was one of the most respectful men in the town of Jay," said Jay Mayor Shon Owens. "Everybody always enjoyed working with him, everybody that he worked with from the fire department to being in the military and just seeing the smile on his face was something that everybody will always remember."

Owens said he felt very proud of the young man Brown had turned into, describing him as a 'stand-up guy.'

Brown worked as a full-time firefighter with Escambia County Fire and Rescue and volunteered with Jay Volunteer Fire Department, where he served with Fire Chief Tony Simmons.

"Clay was a very respectful young man who treated everyone well," said Simmons. "He started his fire fighting career with us, then went into the U.S. Navy. When he came out, he pursued his career with full time fire and still volunteered with us when he wasn't working with Escambia County. He was very well-liked, and very respectful."

The firefighters who work at Escambia County Fire and Rescue in Century last worked with Brown on Saturday night. He was scheduled to work Monday. His name was still written in chalk on the duty board at the station.

Although they did not wish to be quoted, the general feeling of the firefighters there was that Brown was a dependable, respectful co-worker and friend who always pulled his weight and was easy to work with.

Visitation for Clay Brown will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, June 27, at True Worship Assembly of God Church at 13297 FL-Highway 87 in Jay.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m., Friday, June 28, at True Worship Assembly of God. Burial will follow at Dixonville Community Cemetery in Dixonville with Jay Funeral Chapel directing.