Bruce Molloy Cameron M.D.

Bruce Molloy Cameron, M.D. passed into the arms of his Savior on Monday, the 11th of March 2013, at the age of 91.

Dr. Cameron was born in El Paso, Texas, on the 17th of May 1921, to attorney, E. F. Cameron and concert pianist, Nora Molloy Cameron. Dr. Cameron was a beloved husband, father, and orthopedic surgeon who practiced medicine for 57 years. He married the love of his life, Frances Gough Cameron on the 21st of April 1945, in Norfolk, Virginia. Frances, his beloved wife of 66 years, passed away in July of 2011.

Graduating first in his class from The University of Texas, El Paso, in 1941, Dr. Cameron was a member of Alpha Chi Honor Society. He then received his medical degree from The University of Texas in Galveston where he was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honorary Medical Society. During World War II, he was assigned to the destroyer, the USS C.K. Bronson, as the ship's doctor, where he served in the Pacific Theatre and was in Tokyo Bay to witness the surrender of Japan ending WWII.

Upon his return, he finished his education at the Mayo Clinic where he received his Master of Science of Orthopedic Surgery. He returned to Houston to begin his practice, but was recalled to active service for a second tour of duty as a Lt. Commander during the Korean War. Sent overseas to the Naval hospital in Yokohama, Japan, he treated numerous casualties. Frances and their four children joined him in Japan for the last 18 months of his service, a time which they both recalled as one of the happiest of their lives.

Upon his return, he practiced orthopedics in the Texas Medical Center until 2001. He was a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Harris County Medical Society, Clinical Orthopedic Society, Texas Orthopedic Society, Houston Orthopedic Society (President), Western Orthopedic Society (President), Pan American Orthopedic Society, Texas Medical Society, Houston Surgical Society (Vice President), Council of Specialty Societies, Harris County Malpractice Committee (Chair), Travis Center Outpatient Surgery (Chief of Staff), and Harris County Board of Medical Legislation. He was a Clinical Associate Professor at Baylor College of Medicine and served on numerous committees at St. Luke's Hospital including Credentials, Research and Publication, and the Institutional Review Board. He was also a member of St. Martin's Episcopal Church, River Oaks Country Club, and the Colonneh Club (President).

In addition to his large medical practice, Dr. Cameron was an accomplished scientist, writer, lecturer, and inventor. He wrote over 100 scientific articles, was founder and editor for 15 years of the American Journal of Orthopedic Surgery and wrote the book, Shaft Fractures and Pseudarthroses. He loved history and one of his passions was researching to solve historical mysteries. He wrote and published articles and was often a popular guest speaker on the subjects of "Who Really Killed the Red Baron," the death of gunfighter John Wesley Hardin, and Emily Morgan's ("the Yellow Rose of Texas'") role in the Battle of San Jacinto. His inventions included the swivel athletic shoe designed to reduce knee joint injuries, and a blood test to determine the presence of pain. Education was so important to him that he established the Bruce Cameron M.D. Endowed Student Excellence Fund at The University of Texas El Paso.

Bruce was full of life and joy. He had a never ending sense of humor, boundless energy, knew no strangers, and his big hearty laugh was unmistakable. An avid sportsman, Bruce enjoyed great times with family and friends during many hunting and fishing expeditions. Vigorous, strong, happy, and enthusiastic, he rarely complained, and when his wife Frances would tell him, as she often did, "I'm glad I have you," he would reply in kind. He frequently kissed her hand as they sat watching movies together and in later years, they were rarely apart. He will be deeply missed and loved.

The family gratefully acknowledges and offers special thanks to his caregivers who treated him with such love, respect, and humor: Kim Provo, Alberta Kwodjo, Jocelynn Authorlee, Sidiki (Zeke)Fofana, Wendy Rosember, Catarina Juarez, and Yvette Layne.

Dr. Cameron is survived by his children, Bruce M. Cameron, Jr. and his wife Christie, Douglas G. Cameron and his partner Marilia Marques, Craig M. Cameron and his wife Dalene, Frances Cameron Franz and her husband Joe; his grandchildren, Cameron Franz, Lisa Franz Wood, Douglas Benjamin Cameron, Scott Cameron, Christopher Cameron, Cole Cameron, Charlotte Cameron, and Bruce Clayton Cameron; and great-grandchildren, Gates Franz, and Gray Franz. He is predeceased by his brother, David Cameron of El Paso, Texas, and sister, Elizabeth Shaw of Pauma Valley, California.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from four o'clock in the afternoon until six o'clock in the evening on Sunday, the 17th of March, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A memorial service is to be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon on Monday, the 18th of March, at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston, where the Rev. Martin J. Bastian, Senior Associate Rector for Pastoral Care, is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Bagby Parish Hall.

Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that contributions in memory of Dr. Cameron be directed to St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Rd., Houston, TX, 77056; or to the charity of one's choice.