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Gerald Dale Cameron

ALMA, Mich. — September 22, 1938 – August 5, 2018,

Gerald (Jerry) Dale Cameron, 79, passed away Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018, at Masonic Pathways in Alma, Mich., surrounded by his family. Jerry spent the last year of his life battling cancer, strokes and other illnesses .

Jerry was born Sept. 22, 1938, to James Alexander Cameron and Mildred Charlotte Cameron Anderson. After losing his father at an early age, his mother, married Oliver Anderson, his stepfather. At the age of 17 in February 1956, Jerry enlisted in the Army and after basic training was stationed in South Korea. Upon completion of his Army service, Jerry met, as an unintended date, Rosemary Herioux when Rosemary’s roommate stood him up. Jerry married the love of his life, Rosemary, six months later on Dec. 30, 1961. They were married for 49 years until she predeceased him on Jan. 22, 2011. Jerry and Rosemary were blessed with three children: Connie (Cassie) Cameron (Robert Taylor), Timothy Paul Cameron (Laura), Elizabeth Cameron-Molesky (Michael); and 11 grandchildren: Anastasia, Rebecca, and Alexander Cameron; Mason and Monroe Molesky; Joseph Cameron Micks, Andrew Cameron Micks, Jennifer, Terra, Lynda and Patricia Foster. To Jerry’s great sadness, his grandson, Joseph Cameron Micks died in the Iraq War in 2006. During the last few years, Jerry was blessed with a close friend, Betty Lou Dahlgren, of Iron Mountain, Mich.

Gerald was a member of Nativity of the Lord Catholic Church in Alma, Mich. He enjoyed traveling and did so extensively with his wife having seen the United States coast to coast countless times. They also traveled a great part of Europe and China. After leaving the U.S. Army, Jerry built a construction company and retail stores in Escanaba, Mich. He was adventuresome and was an avid airplane pilot and motorcycle driver. In fact, Jerry parked his plane in the backyard at his own airstrip. Jerry was very musical and played many instruments by ear: guitar, banjo, harmonica, accordion, and any instrument available. Playing his guitar to his favorite Jonny Cash songs was a nightly bedtime tradition for his children. He could operate any piece of construction equipment and loved driving his limo. Jerry lived life to the fullest. He supported the college and career dreams of his children; to the extent that he started college in his 40s attending Bay College and Saginaw Valley State University. Jerry was noted for working with many different faiths, either building a new church or working on their steeples. Thus, the weekly Sunday barbecues always included different pastors at the house. This made for some interesting Sunday conversations. Helping others came naturally to Jerry and Rosemary as they assisted with hurricane Katerina disaster (bringing their granddaughter Rebecca along) where they lived in the family motorhome for six months helping anyone in need.

The children, grandchildren and friends of Jerry would like to express the deepest gratitude to the nurses, CNAs, doctors, and staff at Masonic Pathways in Alma for the kindness, compassion, and love shown Jerry and his family.

Gerald will be laid to rest alongside his beloved wife Rosemary at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made toward a memorial at Masonic Pathways and/or Alma College in Alma. Donations can be forwarded to: Alma Law Firm, P.O. Box 728, Alma, Michigan, 48801.