Don Cameron

CAMERON Don Cameron, 66, of New Albany, Ohio, passed away January 10, 2008. A loving husband and father, community leader and true Scotsman. Born in Lakewood, Ohio on September 11, 1941, to Helen Swardell Cameron and Donald Stewart. Don is survived by his wife and loving partner of 21 years, Mary (Deering); and a lively Cameron Clan: daughter, Erin, a student at the St. John Fisher College; daughter, Amy (Chris Cruz) and daughter, Tracy (Don Cook), both of Omaha, Nebraska; son, Donald (Tirza) of New Albany, Ohio; daughter, Kelly (Jeff Novotny) of Arvada, Colorado; daughter, Susan (Rick Coder) of Omaha, Nebraska. He is the grandfather of 16, whom he dearly loved, including Jesse and Skylar Cruz, Matthew, Chelsea, McKenzie and Connor Cook, Stephanie, Taylor and Donnie Cameron, Megan, A.J. and Emma Sue Novotny, Beth, Sean, Patrick and Annie Codor. He is also survived by a brother, Douglas; a sister-in-law, Kathleen Deering Kalish (Robert); several cousins; and Sue Heringer, former wife and mother of 5 of his children. He was preceded in death by his parents and an aunt Betty Koson. A 1959 graduate of Lakewood High School, Don participated in baseball, football and basketball, thus starting a lifelong appreciation for sports. He was a significant booster to New Albany athletics and a constant fixture at sporting events, from little league to high school. Don attended Kent State University and embarked on a 34-year career at UPS, beginning as a clerk and progressing up the ranks to eventually spearhead national labor relations. He loved UPS and developed many friends that remain close today, including Tony Giovannetti, Dave Gosselin, Jack Spergl, Charlie Young and many more. After retirement from UPS, Don co-founded Personal Profiles, a human resources consulting firm. While Don's retirement from UPS marked the end of his professional career, it was the beginning of his public service career as a Plain Township Trustee, where he leaves a remarkable legacy to the community that will enrich lives for generations. His strong leadership was instrumental in the transition of Plain Township's Fire Department from a volunteer group to a full-time professional department whose service ranked among the best. He loved the firefighters and staff. He was a strong advocate of the Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts, driven by his desire to see that all residents and students have access to its programming. Don and Mary established an endowment to support center programming and scholarships. He was also an architect of the newly established Columbus Metro Park, serving as the township's lead negotiator and liaison. Don was a member of the Church of the Resurrection, New Albany Walking Club, New Albany Country Club, a former trustee of the Homeless Families Foundation and a current trustee of the Ohio Scottish Arts & Cultural Association. These groups brought many additional special friends, including his buddies from morning water aerobics, the walking club, Starbucks and The Bucket. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Monday, January 14 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST CHAPEL, 1051 E. Johnstown Road, Gahanna, where a Prayer Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, January 15 at 10 a.m. at Church of the Resurrection, 6300 E. Dublin-Granville Road, with burial following immediately at Maplewood Cemetery in New Albany. Father Jerome P. Rodenfels, Celebrant. A Celebration of his life and a luncheon, tailgate style, will occur from 12 noon-1:30 p.m. at the Plain Township Fire Department, 9500 Johnstown Road. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made to the Don Cameron Memorial Endowment Fund of the New Albany Community Foundation to support educational programming and scholarships, 200 Market Street, Suite 205, New Albany, Ohio 43054. "Sign the online guestbook at www.dispatch.com/obituaries"