Charles Edward Clifton (1959-2004)

Charles Edward Clifton, 45, Executive Director of Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN), died of a pulmonary embolism at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago on Sunday, August 15. He is immediately survived by his partner, Kurt Kausch, of Chicago and mother, Claudell Clifton Weaver, of Louisville, Mississippi.

Born February 11, 1959 in Milwaukee, WI, Clifton earned a B.A. in U.S. History at San Francisco State University in 1993, an M.A. from both Dartmouth College, 1995 and University of Chicago, 2002. Clifton joined TPAN in 1995, and in 2000 assumed the duties of editor of Positively Aware, a leading HIV treatment journal. In July of 2002, Clifton was appointed executive director of TPAN. He worked with the Chicago Department of Public Health's STD/HIV/AIDS Public Policy and Program division on numerous important initiatives, including serving as a member of the HIV Prevention Planning Group. He served as co-chair of the Policy Committee and as a member of the Executive Committee for the AIDS Foundation Chicago's Service Providers Council for the past several years; served on the Editorial Advisory Board of PositiveWords.com; was a member of the Steering Committee of the national AIDS Treatment Activists Coalition; chaired the Community Advisory Board of the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections; and chaired the Executive Committee of the North American Treatment Action Forum.

He was preceded in death by his stepfather, the late Donald Robert Weaver, and his father, the late Charles Edward Clifton, Sr. He is also survived by two sisters, Charlotte Renee Jones of Louisville and Carmen Elizabeth Cole-Crawford (Angelo) of Martinez, GA; grandmother, Betsy Eichelberger of Louisville; 4 nieces, Chanda Clifton (Navy) of Washington, D.C., Roland Jones of Rocky Mount, N.C., Chadena Jones and Claudia Cole; 1 nephew, Jahson Jones; 1 daughter, La Tosha, grandson and granddaughter of Seattle, WA; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends including James Moore, Selena Bretl, Lori King and Patricia Williams-Lessane; and other friends all over the world who mourn his untimely death and cherish his zest for savoring the "moments" of life.

A celebration of his life is being planned and will be held in Chicago (check www.tpan.com or call 773-989-9400 for details). In lieu of flowers, memorial donations should be sent to The Charles E. Clifton Memorial Fund, c/o TPAN, 5537 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640.