JACK L CAMPER

JACK LEE CAMPER

B. December 26, 1935 in Birmingham Alabama

D. December 25, 2024 at Tranquility Hospice, Marietta, Georgia

Jack was well known in the Guntersville, Alabama community as a man of many talents, both professionally and personally. His ready smile and congenial personality won him many friends and colleagues during his long career.

Jack joined the Army out of high school (Woodlawn, Birmingham) during the Korean War Conflict and spent his years in service on the Marshall Islands, Enewetak Atoll, while Nuclear Bomb tests were being conducted. He was one of the few remaining (and largely forgotten) Atomic Veterans.

Jack left the Army as a SgtFC and entered Jacksonville State University under the GI Bill. He graduated with a Master in Economics, and started work with the IRS as an auditor. His next career move was to George C Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. He was Deputy Director of the Financial Management Office, recognized by NASA for his contributions during the Saturn V and Apollo 11 space travel programs. These years were probably the most enjoyable of his career, and he was proud of his time there.

Jack retired from Marshall Space Flight Center/NASA in 1993 and settled at Gunters Landing in Guntersville, Alabama with his lovely wife Bobbie (Watson) Camper, their daughter, Jackie, and (adopted) son Randy. His days were spent playing golf with his buddies, but also preparing tax returns for friends, family, and neighbors until 2014 when he again retired.

Jack's wife Bobbie passed away in 2007, after 49 years of marriage. Jack then met and married Teresa (Terry) Rainey-Camper in 2009. In 2014, they left Guntersville and lived in Fairhope, Alabama, for 10 years, until relocating to the North Georgia area in 2024. Ellijay, Blue Ridge, Jasper, and Dahlonega were favorite places to visit when they lived in Guntersville, and fond memories drew them back.

Jack suffered from Dementia in his later years, and simple pleasures were of utmost importance to both Jack and Terry. Jack kept going to the very end, when an unfortunate fall caused a head injury that he could not recover from.

Jack passed away during the evening of December 25th, just hours away from his 89th birthday. He left his wife, Terry, a daughter, Jackie, 3 grandsons, 5 great grandchildren, and a beloved sister, Connie (Dennis) McWhorter. He also left many extended family members and countless friends.

Jack's ashes were interred in the Memory Garden of Epiphany Episcopal Church in Guntersville Alabama on Saturday, January 4th, 2025.