Raymond Cameron
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"Uncle" Raymond will be remembered by the Scouting community as the owner of "Cameron Farm" just outside Rockwall, where many local scouting events were hosted. Countless camporees, training classes, and just plain campouts were held at Cameron Farm and Raymond rarely missed the chance to stop by and to check that everything was going well. Along with all his other community service endeavors, he supported the scouting program any way he could. Local scouts and scouters will miss Raymond greatly.
HOW! HOW!
Services for Raymond Cameron, 92, of Rockwall were conducted at 3 p.m. Jan. 8, 2012, in the First United Methodist Church in Rockwall with Dr. Joe Pool and Dr. Keith P. Boone officiating. Burial followed in the Rockwall Memorial Cemetery under the direction of the Rest Haven Funeral Home-Rockwall Chapel.
He died Jan. 5.
Born Sept. 1, 1919, in Commerce to Noah and Kate Cameron, he joined the Methodist church in Commerce at a young age. His education began at the age of 5 and continued through East Texas State Teacher’s College lab school, from which he graduated at the age of 20 with a bachelor’s degree. While in college he met Elizabeth Rochell, whom he married Sept. 20, 1942.
During World War II he served as an instructor in the flight engineering school at several U.S. Army air bases. He was a teacher as well as a farmer, and in 1965 he joined his brother, Bill, in the real estate and development business. They developed several subdivisions in addition to the Ridge Road Shopping Center and the Cameron Building.
His service to the community included leadership in several organizations. He served as president of the chamber of commerce, school board, Rotary Club and city council. The city lake is named in his honor.
He served the First United Methodist Church as a Sunday school teacher for more than 50 years and believed it was his obligation to serve, whether it was at the local, district or conference level. Even though he was not musically inclined, he recognized the need and sought permission to raise funds for a new organ and pipes for the church.
His commitment to his alma mater was evident in several ways, including through his service as president of the Ex-Students Association, president of the Foundation Board and service on the Board of Regents for 11 years, including two of them as chairman. He was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus in 1978. Upon the opening of the new science building, a room was dedicated in honor of Raymond and Elizabeth Cameron.
The Camerons provided the land for the Amanda Rochell Elementary School in memory of their son, Ronald Brooks Cameron, and his grandmother, Amanda Rochell. He also shared 40 acres of his property with the area Boy Scouts. Each year the couple awarded scholarships to Rockwall and Royse City students planning to attend Texas A&M University–Commerce.
He was a 32° Mason, including the Scottish Rite and Shriners. He was honored by being a 50-year member of Scottish Rite in 2011.
He worked in his wood shop, making toys and vintage cars for his friends. He also enjoyed making peach and pear preserves, which he shared with his friends and at the annual United Methodist Women’s Church Bazaar each November.
The Camerons traveled each summer. Highlights of those summer travels involved trips to Europe and other countries with Ted and Maurine Cain.
Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth (Rochell) Cameron; his sister-in-law, June Cameron; his nieces, Deborah Cook, and her husband, Ed, and Jessica Alexander, and her husband, Collin; his nephews, Don Cameron, and his wife, Becky, Jeff Cameron and his wife, Amy, and Joey Cameron; and a number of great-nieces and great-nephews and great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Ronald Brooks Cameron, who died in 1961 at the age of 14; two brothers, James Cameron and Bill Cameron; a nephew, Rex Cameron; a sister-in-law, Ida Jo Cameron; a niece, Suzanne Cameron Mosley; a great-nephew, Justin Kirk Conway; and a great-great-nephew, Jude Cameron.
The family has suggested memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church Building Fund, 1200 E. Yellow Jacket Lane, Rockwall, TX 75087.