Houston M. Camper Jr.

Houston M. Camper Jr., age 88, of Warsaw, died on Friday, March 31, 2006. Mr. Camper was born in Blacksburg, Va., January 7, 1918, the son of the late Houston Sr. and Cleta E. Camper. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 63 years, Dorothy B. Camper; and a sister, Cleo C. Winston. He is survived by two daughters, Patricia "Pattie" Camper and Peggy C. Mills, both of Glen Allen; niece, Pamela Kangas of Aptos, California; cousin, William Camper of Blacksburg; other cousins, nieces, nephews, church family and associates; and special friends, Henderson Grissom of Richmond, Thomas Boswell and Carroll Miller of Warsaw. Mr. Camper attended Blacksburg Public Schools and Virginia Tech. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Agronomy. He was of the Class of 1941, however, due to illness his graduation was delayed until December, 1943. Following his army service, he was employed by Virginia Tech on January 1, 1947. His first assignment was from 1947 to 1950 with the Williamsburg Agricultural Research Station, working with the late R.P. Cocke. The station was relocated to the present location in Warsaw in 1950. He served as superintendent until his retirement, August 31, 1987 (40 years, eight months). He served as a volunteer weather observer with the National Weather Service, NOAA, from January 1, 1951 to January 1, 2001. A funeral service will be held at the Warsaw United Methodist Church at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 3, with burial in the church cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Warsaw UMC Cemetery Fund or the Northern Neck Virginia Tech Alumini.