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Clouse, Brian G. 12/29/1964 - 6/6/2019 Brian Gary Clouse Ypsilanti, MI December 29, 1964 June 6, 2019 Brian Gary Clouse was born in Alaska, December 29, 1964, at Elmendorf Air Force Base where he spent his first five years. Eventually, his family was stationed in England. For the next seven years, Brian explored the beautiful English countryside, often leaving early in the morning and returning home just in time for dinner. When his father Gary and mother Beverly retired, they moved stateside to Lake Orion, Michigan to be with family. While searching for a home, his parents, and all four children moved in with Gary's brother and his family. That's four adults and 11 children sharing a warm and cozy home. Brian loved this time with his family and always shared stories of laughter, game nights and dancing -- very fond memories for him. The home his parents found was on the best piece of property in Lake Orion. It was at the end of a drive, adjacent to a retired train track and backed up to a creek the perfect location for a kid that loved to explore. Brian's years in Lake Orion brought him many friends, including several that shared his enthusiasm for D&D, and love of sports. Here he earned many accolades. He placed 6th in the State for wrestling after only taking up the sport a short time earlier. He still holds the record, all these years later for the shotput throw, and he excelled at football. After several scholarship offers were considered, he chose Eastern Michigan University (EMU), a decision he never regretted. Brian joined the EMU football team in 1983 and made life-long friends of his football brethren. These men, the Hurons, are as strong as any family tie imaginable. They went from being the worst team in the Conference, to winning the championship at the California Bowl in 1987. Among many distinctions, Brian received the awards of MAC Lineman of the Year, First Team All-American Honorable Mention, and First Team All-Conference MAC Offensive Lineman. Whether attending an EMU football game or driving by, you can read his name on the Ring of Honor at EMU's Rynerson stadium along with the names of other outstanding football athletes. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from EMU, Brian joined Rainbow Rehabilitation where he established an art therapy program. It was there his life would change forever. After calling 911 for an emergency, the medic that arrived fell instantly in love with him. Brian proposed to her just eight months later and the following year, in 1996, Jill Dziak married the man of her dreams. Four years later they were ecstatic to welcome their new baby girl, Skylar. Two years later, baby girl Calista. Two years later, baby boy Berek. And two years later, baby boy Toren. Brian, a compassionate and supportive man, continued to care for others throughout his career. He joined the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority in 1997 and expanded and managed paratransit services. He was soon known as an expert on ADA regulations in regards to transportation and was sought out by peers across the country for his input and advice. He declined numerous employment opportunities from distant agencies as he valued the nearness of family. Few things thrilled Brian more than cooking for a large crowd. It was therefore fortunate that there were so many of them. He loved to host and did so with warmth and enthusiasm. Everyone was invited to share in a dinner at the Clouse house. He especially loved holidays because he could then prepare triple the number of dishes and his children operated as his sous-chefs. Brian was a talented and prolific artist, and he shared his love of art with his children. He loved to paint and draw. He made up fabulous stories for his kids and encouraged their imagination. So often he created laughter by redirecting the ouch of a scraped knee or bug bite to silliness. He made games out of chores and helped the kids find humor in dull or tiresome situations. Brian battled NH diffuse large b-cell lymphoma for more than five years. On June 6, 2019, he passed away at home with family and friends by his side. Brian is survived by his loving wife Jill and adoring children Skylar, Calista, Berek and Toren; his brothers David (Beth) and Christopher (Carol Ann), his in-laws Anne, Mike, Heidi and Casey (Sabrina), many nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Brian is also survived by the many, many friends he loved. It was his wish after learning he would be in Hospice care, that Jill expresses the love and gratitude he had for his friends and family on his facebook page. Proceeding him in death are his parents Gary and Beverly (Bowler) and sister Carol. A celebration of Brian's life will be held at EMU Convocation Center, 11 AM this Saturday, June 15. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brian's beloved EMU Football Program. Please note, Brian received many units of blood during his five years of treatment for lymphoma. If you're able to and would like to, please consider donating blood through your local Red Cross. |
