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François Camoin Obituary
Born teacher, Photographer,
Author
On Monday, March 18, 2019, François Camoin passed away at the age of 79. François was born in Nice, France on June 20,1939 to Marcel and Catherine Camion. At the end of World War II Catherine married Jarvis Doctorow and the family moved to the United States.
Photography was François' first passion. In his thousands of photos he revealed the souls of people and the beauty or severity of landscapes.
François was a born teacher. As a professor in the creative writing program at the University of Utah, he deeply influenced the lives of his students for over 30 years.
François was also a master of the written word. He published over 80 short stories and several novels that were greeted with great acclaim.
François was known for his dry wit and infectious smile, his kindness and curiosity, for his ability to turn a phrase, his love for his dogs and as a gentle human.
François will be forever remembered by his wife, Shelley Hunt-Camoin, three sons, Thomas and his wife Lara, David, and Shane, his daughter, Kylie, his sister Suzanne and her husband Bob, and four grand-children.
François was cremated and his ashes scattered.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for François Camoin
Doc Murdock
June 6, 2024
All I can say is, back in "those days," he was my best friend. Tennis, poker games, trips to Vegas. Long nights talking. The best of friends.
Alyce Miller
July 7, 2021
It´s unthinkable that I´m just now finding out about Francois´s passing and also unthinkable that he is no longer with us. Francois was an important presence in my life for a short time, but he was greatly valued and appreciated as an intellect and as a human being. My condolences to his family.
Ronald Johnson
January 9, 2021
I knew Francois back in the 1970's when I was a PhD in English with emphasis in creative writing at the University of Utah. In 1982 when I was teaching at McNeese State University in the MFA program in creative writing I had Francois in as a visiting writer and he was an inspiration to my MFA students in fiction writing. We had a wonderful time. I interviewed Francois and I still have the half hour tape. My wife Linda thinks that Francois was quite the dashing person.
December 15, 2019
I took two creative writing courses from Francois in the late 1970s when I was an undergraduate majoring in journalism. Those were two of my favorite classes and my fondest memories of being a student at the U. I went on to become a journalist, then a professor of media and journalism, and am nearing retirement myself. I have never forgotten Professor Camoin or what I learned about writing and about myself in his classes. My deep sympathy for his family. Janice Peck, Denver Colorado
Pam Stone
August 20, 2019
It's sad knowing that I will not see Francois again, but he will remain in my heart always. His humor, strength and kindness will never be forgotten. My sympathy to Shelley and the family.
Orson Scott Card
August 19, 2019
The wisest, most generous, and kindest of teachers, who became a beloved friend. I learned much from him, as a writer and a human being.
Mark
August 18, 2019
My deepest condolence to those who loved and were moved by Francois. He was a master writer and a friend who shared his great laugh and devious ideas. He is admired by many and envied by even more.
Mae Ruche
August 18, 2019
Hands down my favorite person at the U. Introduced me to Marguerite Duras and many others.I took his classes even if I didn't need them for my major, just to hear him muse in his weary, beautiful, hilarious way. I have so many cherished one liners. As a young person, I had rarely met adults I wanted to turn into. But after Camoin. I was excited to know that a well read, kind, world weary, funny, roundedly intelligent future awaited!
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