Dec. 2, 1939 – Jan. 1, 2014
James Wilbur Cameron, 74, of Sweet Home passed away Wednesday.
He was born Dec. 2, 1939 in Warrenton to Lester (Bob) and Lillian (McMillen) Cameron.
He attended grade school and high school in Warrenton, graduating in 1958. After graduation he attended University of Oregon from 1958 to 1961, studying art and architecture.
In 1962 he joined the Navy, serving in the Aviation Fire Control School in Memphis until 1966.
Mr. Cameron returned to Warrenton to attend Clatsop Community College from 1966 to 1968, studying civil engineering and science. After graduating, he worked in the Astoria area at American Can Co., Bumble Bee Seafoods and Point Adams Packing.
Around 1986 he moved to Oregon City where he bought into Galvanizers, an auto dipping service. He lived in Oregon City until retiring in 2007.
In 2008, Mr. Cameron moved to Sweet Home, where he pursued his passions for cartography, Native American history and classic car restoration. He was a member of The Sheet Metal Workers Union, The American Legion and numerous car collector clubs, including the Albany branch of The Early Ford V-8 Club.
He will be remembered as an avid 1930s-era Ford collector and restorer, and for his ability to become fully immersed in a subject and study until he was an expert in any given field. He had an offbeat sense of humor and most friends will picture Mr. Cameron with a cigarette in hand and a wry grin on his face. Most will be surprised to know that he was a very generous man with a big heart, who often loaned money to those less fortunate than him with little hope of ever being repaid.
Mr. Cameron is survived by numerous cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by both his father and mother. He had no siblings.
A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel, with a reception following the service.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.