Clifford "Chan" Clarkson

Clifford “Chan” Clarkson, Jr. Nov. 2 1921 – Jan. 20 2016 Chan Clarkson, 94, is remembered for his quick wit, love of good conversation, and optimism about life. Chan was born in Portland, to Clifford C. and Winnie (Dickey) Clarkson. He attended Alameda, Fernwood, and Grant (1939), with a short stint in Pendleton, Oregon in early high school. He graduated with a journalism degree from University of Oregon (1947), in a college career interrupted by four years of service in the Army. He was a member of Chi Psi Lodge in college. In 1948, he worked in Washington D.C. on the legislative staff of Congressman Harris Ellsworth, from Oregon’s Fourth District. In 1949, he returned to Portland to begin a 50-year career in the advertising agency business. During this half-century, Chan created and managed advertising and public relations programs for clients in across a vast array of sectors. In addition to that, he was an armchair architect and historian. Chan loved writing and wordplay – he always created clever puns, however corny. He enjoyed opera, musicals, old movies, and playing games like bridge and Monopoly, where the opponents mostly paid him high fees for stopping in his hotels. Chan is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen, and his daughter, Martha Clarkson (Jim Carpenter), of Kirkland, Washington, and stepchildren Anne, Paul, Patrick (Denise) Regin, of the Bay Area, California, and John Regin, of Zephyr Cove, Nevada. There are six grandchildren – Molly and Maren Regin of Petaluma, Makena and Cal Regin of Novato, Kellie and Evan Hurley of Seattle, and Natalie and Michael Carpenter of Redmond, Wa. There will be no funeral, at Chan’s request. Donations may be made to Easter Seals of Oregon, where Chan’s father was president at the time of his death in 1962. An flower orders should be sent January 28th or 29th between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm to the address listed below Wilf's 800 NW 6th Ave. Portland OR 97209 (503) 223-0070 Attn: Candy