John L Cameron

John Lawrence Cameron, Jr., 72, passed away at the Veterans Hospital in Bay Pines, Florida.  He was born on August 19, 1945 in Long Beach, California to John Lawrence Cameron and Vera Cameron.  John spent all his school years in Long Beach and graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School in 1963.

Upon graduation John worked on the docks as a longshoreman, following in his father’s footsteps.  A member of ILWU, he worked in the harbor for over 21 years, taking an early retirement when he moved to Boise, Idaho.  John worked for the State of Idaho, Communications and then Transportation, from 1985-2007.

John was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1966 and served a year of duty in Vietnam.  He was a turbine engine specialist and worked on Huey and Chinook helicopters.  This is where he encountered Agent Orange that would impact his future and eventually cause his death.

John met Gena Pederson in Long Beach, CA on St. Patrick’s Day, 1972.  They were together ever since that date and shared many wonderful years and great adventures. They were married on August 2, 1975.   Their son, Robert Lawrence Cameron, was born on November 9, 1989 and brought great joy to his life. 

John had many interests.  Throughout his life he always loved cars and watching NASCAR.  In high school he belonged to a car club and enjoyed racing at Lyons Drag Strip or anywhere.  He was a surfer and a scuba diver.  He was a licensed Realtor, had been a process server, sold trailers.  Little League referee, pine wood derby car builder (with winning cars).  Spectator for his son’s soccer, ice hockey, basketball, baseball – never missing a game.  He was a life long fisherman, who always threw the fish back.  He loved guns (buying, fixing, selling, shooting and teaching, a proud member of the NRA).  He hunted, but mostly to be out in nature as he always came home empty handed.  Enjoyed camping, boating and the outdoors that Idaho offered. Ten years of his life was spent riding all over the U.S., Canada and Mexico on his many motorcycles, both dirt and street bikes.  Thousands of hours and miles on the open road and at bike runs.  And lastly, he enjoyed gold panning.  He caught gold fever and it never let go.  He had hours of enjoyment with a pan in his hand, bent over a river stream chasing that elusive gold.  He belonged to two gold clubs and a metal detecting group.  Camaraderie was an important part of gold panning and that’s where he made some very good friends.

John enjoyed retirement, sold the Boise home when Gena retired in 2012, and took off for a year in the car.  During that adventure they discovered the Gulf Coast of Florida and decided it was paradise and where they wanted to settle. 

Lots of travel was enjoyed with yearly trips to Mexico, cruises, car trips around the United States - John visited every state.

He was the best husband, a man who never let his family down.  A man who only wanted the best for his family and his goal that he stated almost daily was, “I only want to make you happy.” John was a caring and involved father who always showed great love and patience.  A reliable and true friend.  He loved sharing his stories and photos of cars and guns he’d owned and his favorite sunsets.  People will always remember him for being kind, caring, calm, even tempered and genuine with lots of humor thrown in.  He loved being a bit of a character and making people laugh.  He left a great legacy and will be missed by many.

Chapel services will be held at Noon on Monday, July 23rd at Cloverdale Funeral Home, followed by a Military burial at Idaho State Veteran's Cemetery at 2pm.