The Honorable Clarence Brimmer

The Hon. Clarence "Bud" Addison Brimmer, Jr., 92, of Cheyenne died peacefully on October 23, 2014 at the Boulder Community Foothills Hospital in Boulder, Colorado surrounded by his family. Bud was born on July 11, 1922 to Clarence A. Brimmer, Sr. and Geraldine Zingsheim, in Rawlins, Wyoming. He and his two siblings grew up in Rawlins where his father practiced law. After graduating from Rawlins High School, Bud attended the University of Michigan where he received both his undergraduate and law degrees. He was the Editor of the University's Michigan Daily News. Judge Brimmer served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He moved back to Rawlins in 1947, and joined his father's law firm, Brimmer & Brimmer, where he gained experience as a trial attorney. In Rawlins, he met Emily Olene Docken, a school teacher. They were married on August 2, 1953, and had four children, Geraldine, Philip, Andrew and Elizabeth. He was active in Wyoming politics, and served as Republican State Chairman 1967-71. In 1971, he was appointed by Governor Stan Hathaway as Wyoming Attorney General and served from 1971-74. Then he was appointed U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming from 1974 - 75. He was nominated by President Gerald Ford to become a U.S. District Judge in 1975, and sworn in on September 22, becoming the fourth federal trial judge in the history of Wyoming. He served as Chief Judge from 1986-92. In 2006, he elected to take senior status. He heard his last case in the spring of 2012. His son Philip is now a U.S. District Judge in Colorado. As a federal judge, he served from 1994-1997 on the Judicial Conference, the principal policy-making body for the federal court system. He served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Judicial Conference of U.S. Courts from 1995-1997. He was appointed a member of the Multi-District Litigation panel in 1992 and served for more than 7 years. Bud served as Grand Master of the Masons and Potentate of the Korein Shriners. He was active in the Young Man's Literary Club and the Rotary Club of Cheyenne. He was a former vestry member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Bud is survived by his children, Geraldine (Wayne) Thomas, Philip (Dana), Andrew (Tom) and Elizabeth (George); his four grandchildren, Andrew and Clara Thomas and Pierce and Dalton Brimmer; his brother, William Brimmer; his sisters in-law, Kathleen Docken and Norma Brimmer; his brothers in-law, Galen Docken, and William Swanson and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by Emily, his wife of 58 years, and his sister, Dorothy Brimmer Swanson. He proudly lived his entire life in Wyoming. Family, friends and those who passed through his courtroom remember his courtesy, fairness, intelligence and deep knowledge. He loved literature and music, and was always learning. His hobbies included cultivating orchids, gardening and travel. He especially loved his family cabin near Centennial, Wyoming. Funeral services will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Cheyenne at 2 p.m. on October 28, 2014. There will be a reception to follow at Little America Hotel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Mark's Episcopal Church and to the Wyoming Judicial Learning Center through The Wyoming State Bar Foundation, P.O. Box 109, Cheyenne, WY 82203.

Service

Tuesday, October 28, 2014 2:00pm

St. Mark's Episcopal Church

1908 Central

CHEYENNE, WY 82001

Reception

Little America

2800 W. Lincolnway

CHEYENNE, WY