EL DORADO - Cameron, Thomas Earl "Tom," 86, lifelong Butler County resident, arrived at heaven's gate on Oct. 17, 2013, after a long battle against bone cancer. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, at Kirby-Morris Funeral Home in El Dorado. Family visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20. Tom was born at home in a rock farmhouse NW of Piedmont, Kan. on Nov. 30, 1926. The family bought their farm southwest of Cassoday and moved there when Tom was 9 years old. Before graduating from high school, he enjoyed working on the farm, working for neighbors and woodworking. Following graduation in 1943 from Cassoday High School at the age of 16, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps with his parent's blessings, and completed Boot Camp at San Diego/Camp Pendleton, Calif. Tom was a humble Iwo Jima Survivor and subsequently was stationed in Sasebo, Japan with the Occupying Troops for 10 months. Following the war, Tom returned to the area where he delivered propane for Ernie Moots out of Benton; worked for Phillips Pipeline, traveling to the northeast coast and back; worked at Vickers Oil Refinery in Potwin; then at the Fina Refinery which sold to Pester Refinery. After retiring from Pester in 1986, he worked security at Texaco and helped friends farm. He finally decided it was time to retire completely and made the rounds every month in Butler and the surrounding counties visiting friends and relatives. Tom was a 50+ year member of the Masonic Lodge Patmos; 25+ year member of the Midian Shrine Temple; and was a life-time member of both The American Legion and The VFW. He was also a member of the OCAW Union. Tom was baptized at and was a member of Countryside Christian Church in Wichita where he attended until his illness prohibited it. Tom is survived by a daughter, Cindy of Wichita; a son, George McHaley and wife, Becky of El Dorado; two grandchildren, Michelle (Deane) Donley of El Dorado and Michael (Brandi) McHaley of Leon; four great-grandchildren; and his special lady, Mary Fuller. He was preceded in death by family members who were awaiting his arrival in heaven; his parents; his brother, Lloyd Warren Cameron in June of 1999; Lloyd's wife, Olive in November of 1993 and their daughter, Jane Rhoads in March of 2011. Memorials may be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 or the Midian Shrine Plane of Mercy, Midian Shrine Center, 130 N. Topeka St., Wichita, KS 67202.
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2 Entries
With deepest sympathy to the family during your time of grief...God is for you a refuge and strength, A help that is there to be found during difficult times...May God provide you with peace and comfort to endure the days ahead.
JG
October 21, 2013
Saepe Expertus, Semper Fidelis, Fratres Aeterni.
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever.
Thank you for your service to this nation.
Harry Simpson
October 19, 2013
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