Bobby Wayne Camp

Bobby Wayne Camp was born in Chester, OK to Ruthus Narcissis Emma(line) nee Smith and Eugene Sydney Camp, the second of 6 children (Bill, Dad, LulaBell, Ethel, Margaret, Betty Jean). He was closest to Bill and Betty Jean. His father was a Pentecost Holiness preacher. They lived on a cotton farm. Dad only completed the 6th grade in school, but he also missed a lot of school to pick cotton. He worked the field after the 6th grade full time until he joined the Army on 9/16/1952 during the Korean War. He served in Germany as a munitions specialist, which affected his hearing later in life. He mustered out 9/15/1954 and worked at Tinker AFB and FAA as a forklift operator until his retirement on 1/2/1979. He was a member of the Army National Guard 9/16/1954 – 9/15/1960 and then again 2/9/1974 – 5/14/1976. He married Mom (Betty) on 5/29/1957 and acquired three step-children. He adopted my brother David when he was 5 years old. After mother retired from Westinghouse, they moved to Westville where Dad’s brother, Bill, lived and lived there several years. They took square dance lessons there. They then bought a motor home and traveled the western part of the United States. They spent some time in Bullhead City, AZ while dad worked at a casino in Laughlin, NV to supplement their income. From there, they lived in a little house they built of the Sea of Cortez in Baja Ca, Mexico, learned a little Spanish and were part of a retirement community. They swam, fished, played games, line danced, mom sang karaoke, hosted fish frys and clam bakes, visited and just generally enjoyed life. My children and I (and anyone else that wanted to go) would visit them over Memorial Day holiday for about 10 days each year they were there. Mother developed health problems and they moved back to Oklahoma in 2001, which was hard on her. Mom passed away in 2003 and dad has lived with me since then. Mother was always the driving force in the relationship, paying all the bills, making the final big decisions and generally directing dad. I took over that role after mom died and it has remained that way. I handled the finances, household, cooking, and meals, big decisions, medical issues/decisions, etc. Dad has always just gone with the flow – whatever… therefore, he took direction well… shower, change clothes, eat, take his medications, etc. He can be an ornery cuss and likes to tease. He gave his all to his family, treating each and every one of us special. He would do anything for anybody. He went home to the Lord on March 15, 2024 at 2:53 am. Rest well, daddy.

A memorial service will be held for Bobby at Hope Connection Church, 8309 South Santa Fe Ave, OKC on Saturday, March 23 from 2:00-4:00pm. The family will be sharing memories and a meal will be provided.