Michael C. Claiborne

Mr. Michael Clay Claiborne, 51, of 41 Paine Street, Berlin, NH and Wichita, Kansas passed away on March 13, 2005 at the VA Medical Center in White River Junction, VT. He was born in Lawton, Oklahoma on October 19, 1953, the son of William Clae Claiborne and Juanita Cybil (Taliaferro) Claiborne and spent the first fourteen years of his life living in the jungles of South America with his Mom and Dad. His love of the wild and exotic was fitting for his personality. Mr. Claiborne served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. Following the war he worked on off shore oil rigs and rescue boats as his love of the ocean was a spiritual experience. Michael will be returned to his ocean as he believed and often said The Sea will reclaim her own. The US Navy will give him a burial at sea with full military honors. His love was of God, family, country, friends and golf. He was passionate, loving and a fun loving man who never met a stranger. He truly enjoyed his dog Ellie. He especially enjoyed his profession of Med Tech and LNA as his respect and love for the elders was a privilege for him to care for. Michael enjoyed his combination of Comanche Indian and Welsh heritage and he practiced both spiritual fields of Christ and Native American. He was also an honorary member of the McAuley Clan and wore his kilt proudly. He is survived by his wife Dee Claiborne of Berlin and Wichita, KS; four daughters Noell Harrison of Wichita, KS, Kelly Harr of Derby, KS, Julie Kountz of Wichita, KS and Clarissa Claiborne of Houston, TX; five grandchildren; two brothers Tom Mansell of Lawton, OK and Bob Mansell also of Lawton, OK; seven sisters; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. A Service of Prayer & Celebration for the life of Michael C. Claiborne will be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 at the St. Vincent de Paul Health Care Center in Berlin at 2:00 PM. The family will continue to receive friends following the memorial service until 7:00 PM in their home at 41 Paine Street in Berlin. A Liturgy of Christian Burial and Eucharist of the Resurrection for Michael C. Claiborne will be held on Tuesday March 22, 2005 at 11:00 AM at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, corner of Main and High Streets, Berlin. In lieu of flowers, anyone who wishes may make a donation in his memory to the Garden Fund at St. Vincent de Paul Health Care Center, 29 Providence Ave., Berlin, NH 03570.