John Camp

1947 - 2015

John Camp
Oct. 29. 1947 - May 26, 2015
Resident of San Francisco
John Camp died on May 26, 2015.
John dedicated himself to what he valued and believed. This passion started early in life, and solidified while volunteering with VISTA, serving low-income developmentally disabled adults in North Carolina during the 1960's memorable Civil Rights movement. This experience led him to Friends World College where he pursued a degree in psychology and social services while living and working in India, Africa and Europe.
John gave many years of service to both the Developmentally Disabled and HIV Communities through work, volunteer and board roles. He started his career working in San Leandro with the developmentally disabled, and in the early days of HIV/AIDS provided leadership and training for the Contra Costa Health Department. John was instrumental in the formation of services for people with HIV and AIDS in Contra Costa County as the executive director of both the Diablo Valley AIDS Center and the AIDS Community Network. He used these positions to bring much needed services to the community with the same passion he pursued all his work, developing programs, raising money, and enhancing the lives of clients.
John also volunteered on the Boards of Directors of the Contra Costa Association of Retarded Citizens and Coming Home Hospice of San Francisco as well as connected personally through service with the clients of Project Open Hand, Visiting Nurses and Hospice of San Francisco and the Special Olympics. He received many awards for his life's work, too numerous to mention; all in recognition of his outstanding leadership and selfless contributions to others.
John had long lasting friendships met in all walks of life; this included his large extended family, many of whom, like John, grew up and remained in the Bay Area. He was considered the favorite cousin in his very large family. John's nephew Christopher was the light of his life. John also had a very close relationship with his sister and best friend Marianne Camp. John, Marianne, her partner Marta, and son Christopher, had a deep family bond of love.
John had HIV for many years; often downplaying the toll it took on him. John was particularly appreciative of and relied on the wisdom, guidance and kindness of both Dr. David Jull-Patterson, his Psychologist and Dr. Mark Higgins, his Physician, without whom this journey would have been so much harder. He was so thankful to be cared for exquisitely at with Maitri Hospice. John could not thank enough the many people who gave him so much support in so many ways.
A memorial service will be held at the Jewish Community Center in San Francisco on Saturday July 25, 2015, at 1:00. John requested in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity.