ORANGE — John “Ray” Camp, Sr., 87, of Pinehurst, died December 24, 2012, at Harbor Hospice House in Beaumont.  Ray was born June 18, 1925 in New Augusta, Mississippi to John and Louise (Beasley) Camp.

After moving to Orange in 1942, Ray attended Stark High School. Immediately upon receiving a draft notice his sophomore year he reported to the principal that he would no longer be attending school. The principal told Ray he could not stop attending school.  He informed her that he had received his draft notice and would be serving his country.  Ray was a sergeant in the US Army during WWII, serving a tour in the Asiatic-Pacific and Philippine Campaigns from 1943, until he was honorably discharged and returned home in February 1946.  He met Lorene Carey the very day that he arrived back home and they were married September 6, 1946.  He was an active member of First Church of God in Orange, serving in many various positions throughout the years. He worked as a Pipefitter with Local Union 195, and retired from Firestone Tire & Rubber in Lake Charles, Louisiana in 1988, where he worked as a maintenance pipefitter for 32 1/2 years. Throughout his life, Ray enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping with his family and friends, playing games with his family, and spending time working in his garden. He always looked forward to the times spent playing with his grandchildren and great grandchildren who all adored him.  His greatest gift was his beautiful legacy of love, which will be cherished by his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren forever.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 28, 2012 at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.  Officiating will be his former pastor and friend, Sidney Thorne, pastor of First Church of God, Olympia, WA.  Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., Thursday, December 27 at Claybar Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Norman Camp; nephew Evans Blane “E.B.” Crocker, Jr.; brother-in-law Evans Crocker; and nephew Norman Ray Camp.  Ray is survived by his loving wife of 66 years Lorene “Cooter” Camp; daughters and sons-in-law, Martha and Brian Baker of Greeley, CO., Mary and Randy Begley of Yukon, OK.,  Lora and Richard Harris of Allen; and son and daughter-in-law, John and Vickie Camp, Jr., of Orange.

He is also survived by his grandchildren; Jill Knowles and husband, Dave; Sgt. Josh Baker and wife Georgia of Germany; Carey Renchen and husband, Wes; Courtney Harris, Clint Harris, John Camp III, Dustin Camp and wife, Jennifer; and Michael Camp and wife, Heather; four great grandchildren, Zane Renchen, Carys Baker, and Ashley and Brooke Knowles; sisters-in-law, Katherine Crocker of Orange and Myrtis Camp of Starks, LA.; and also his very special nieces and nephews.

Serving as pallbearers will be John Camp III, Dustin Camp, Michael Camp, Clint Harris, Richard Harris, and Eugene Crocker.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Sgt. Josh Baker, Brian Baker, Randy Begley, and   Zane Renchen.

The family wishes to thank River City Hospice for their compassion and care for Ray during the past year.  Also, our heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff at Harbor Hospice House for the loving care he received during his final days.

To our Mother, the love of Ray’s life; your love and unwavering dedication to our father throughout his journey with Alzheimer’s has touched our hearts forever.  May it comfort you to hold close to your heart his daily sentiments, “I love you, and I don’t know what I would do without you.”