Alfred McDiarmid Cameron

1935 - 2023

Alfred McDiarmid Cameron
January 19, 1935 - April 14, 2023
Born in Santa Rosa, CA in 1935, Alfred passed away on April 14th, 2023, at his home in Windsor, CA. His childhood was spent on the family ranch which grew hops, prunes and grapes, where hard work and good fun existed in equal measures. He attended Olivet School when it was a two-room schoolhouse and Santa Rosa High, leaving early because, as his dad said, "you're only going there to eat your lunch". He began a five decade career in the poultry industry, starting at Fulton Processors, where he met a young Beverly, who would later become his little bride. In 1960, he would start Cameron and Mercer Trucking with his best friend Fred, hauling live poultry. Eventually becoming Cameron and Cameron, the company branched out into hauling lumber and grapes and providing vineyard and lumber supplies on the corner of Fulton and River Roads. Al enjoyed the time visiting with everyone who drove through those gates. In the 1970's Al and Bev bought ten acres that had been part of the original Cameron Ranch and planted Sunny Valley Vineyard. Driving his Kubota down the rows was a familiar sight to many traveling on River Rd. Just as many hours were spent sitting under the oak tree by Cameron Creek, visiting with whomever stopped by. He was a member of the Russian River Valley Winegrowers, where he relished being a part of the BBQ pit crew at the annual Grapes to Glass and was a founding member of the Fulton 500 club. He spent a great deal of his life hard at work but also knew how to laugh and have fun, whether it was holding challenging Easter egg hunts, epic water fights or backyard BBQs with family and friends. He took his kids, and later grandkids, on drives throughout the county, talking about the changing landscape and sharing stories of his childhood. "Making the loop" could be an all day affair at times and he continued to make it until the end of his days. Al was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Bev, his son, Ken, his parents, Bruce and Ruby Cameron and his siblings Virginia, Bruce and Ed. He's survived by his children Al, Clyde, LeeAnn (Steve), Barbara and Gerry (Kari); his 14 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; his sister, Dorothy and many nieces and nephews. Our family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers whose patience and compassion allowed Al to pass peacefully at his home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in his memory to the Farm Bureau Foundation of Sonoma County and to Memorial Hospice. We'll be gathering in June to celebrate Al's life and to say hasta la vista. For those interested in attending, please contact the family at bac1425630@gmail.com.