Jeffrey Wayne Camp
Jeffrey Wayne Camp of Ruston, passed away on Saturday, September 9, 2023, surrounded by his loving family Visitation will be held at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2023, with the funeral beginning at 2 p.m. with Pastor Paul Watts and Stephen Nutt officiating. Interment will follow the service at Pilgrim’s Rest Cemetery in Shongaloo.
John and Fran Camp welcomed their first born, Jeff, into the world on May 13, 1965, in Dallas, Texas. The family soon moved to Ruston, and joined Emmanuel Baptist Church where Jeff was baptized when he made a profession of his faith in Jesus Christ. Jeffrey attended A.E. Phillips and Ruston High School where his “ claim to fame” was recovering a blocked punt in the end zone to clinch a victory for the Bearcats in the 1982 4A Football State Championship.
After high school, Jeff attended Louisiana Tech University where he earned a degree in Wildlife Biology. During these years, his varied interests and multiple hobbies and talents were evidenced by his many accomplishments.
He worked as a carpenter, a camp counselor, and an outdoor education instructor for the Houston Independent School District. He became a licensed private pilot, a journeyman bladesmith, a rock-climbing guide, a certified challenge course trainer, and even served as a sergeant in the Louisiana National Guard.
Upon graduating college, he began his professional career as the director of the Outdoor Wilderness Learning Center for the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home. It was here that he met Kim VanHook of Natchitoches. The two were married in 1999 and moved to Tyler, Texas, in 2000 where Jeff became the Director of the Outdoor Education Center at Pine Cove and a longtime member of Grace Community Church.
In 2003, Jeff was offered a position as a pharmaceutical sales representative, and this led to his successful career in sales and marketing.
Jeff’s passion for the outdoors and his love of sharing his knowledge and skills made him a consummate teacher. Known for his willingness to help others, he volunteered his time and talent often. He was good- natured, kindhearted, brave, funny, and intelligent.
Jeff will lovingly be remembered by his children, Grace Ann and John Walker and their mother Kim Van-Hook Camp and her family; his parents, John and Fran Camp; his sister and her husband, Lori and Russ Golden and their children, Bailee, and Zack; and his many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Pallbearers will be Sammy Nix, Adam and Jacob Schindall, Russ and Zack Golden, and Sam Gentry.
Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Billy Dan Carson, Les Jeske, Jeff Moore, and Dr. Danny Price.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Jeff to: The Miracle League of Tyler, P.O. Box 8221, Tyler, TX 75711.
Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes. com.
