Lloyd Raymond “Ray” Camp, 82, of West Des Moines, Iowa passed peacefully from this earthly life on June 20, 2024 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines surrounded by his loving family who sadly handed him off to Jesus but were thankful for the end of his challenges here on earth.
Ray was born on May 28, 1942 in Unionville, Missouri to Bernard Oreldean Camp and Raymah Lucile Smith. He was the second of four brothers. Growing up on the family farm, his parents instilled in him a strong work ethic, frugality, and a love of Jesus and family which guided him throughout his entire life. The soft spoken, country boy with an easy smile did not know a stranger and enjoyed striking up a conversation and teasing anyone he met.
Ray was united in marriage to Leota Mae Hodges on January 20, 1961 and they were blessed with one son and two daughters before Leota passed away in July of 1967. On October 23, 1970, Carolyn Vivian Hagedorn joined Ray & children in marriage and they welcomed a son and a daughter to their blended family. Ray & Carolyn raised their family in Des Moines, where they were members of the Church of Christ at Dean Avenue, until moving to Oklahoma City in 1996 for Ray’s job change, then Ashburn, Virginia in 1998, and back to Johnston, Iowa in 2003 to be near their adult children and grandchildren. Ray helped establish the eldership at the Leesburg Church of Christ and became one of three elders while living in Ashburn. In 2010 they purchased a home in Sarasota, Florida to spend the winter months where the entire family and friends loved visiting and enjoying time together. During the last year, they moved to West Des Moines.
Ray was a “self-made” man. From a one-room schoolhouse in rural Missouri to a small town high school degree, his God given intellect, strong work ethic, visionary thinking, and many wonderful colleagues helped him achieve exceptional success at every organization throughout his career. He rose from humble beginnings in 1962 working in the supply room in an Iowa State agency to Vice President of Electronic Payment Services overseeing a $550 million division of a Fortune 500 company. Ray challenged the status quo and embraced new technologies to create better, more efficient solutions. This was best demonstrated early in his career, when he was credited with developing the first in the nation real time Unemployment Insurance eligibility determination system. He continued to develop and implement innovative solutions while at the Iowa Department of Human Services. Ray earned the respect of his peers and served as President of the American Public Welfare Association (APWA) in 1993.
In 1995 at the age of 55, Ray joined the private sector (Lockheed Martin IMS) and quickly added value to the emerging Electronic Payment Services Industry developing, marketing, and operating a payment card solution for government assistance programs such as food stamps, childcare, and WIC. This solution impacted the lives of millions of people across the country, reducing the stigma of utilizing public assistance since they could use a “debit card” like the general public rather than paper coupons.
Through his leadership, Affiliated Computer Services became the industry leader with contracts and operations in virtually every state. Ray formed many great relationships over the years that were instrumental to his success. He had such a passion for what he did that his family thought he might never retire but he finally did in 2012 at the age of 72.
Ray’s perseverance and determination helped him get through many medical challenges including stage 4 prostate cancer, hairy cell leukemia, three kidney cancers, and long Covid. His family joked that he had “nine lives” because he had survived much longer than the doctors predicted. Retirement gave him the opportunity to spend more time with his family. Ray also enjoyed riding his motorcycle, fishing, bird and squirrel watching, poker night and golfing with his buddies. He was so loved!
Surviving Ray are his wife of 53 years, Carolyn Camp; his children, Kevin Camp of DM, Brenda (Larry) Conklin of WDM, Kristy (Kevin) Kinneer of Waukee, Jason Camp of DM, and Tiffany (Grant) Steffen of Waukee; 12 grandchildren: Conklins: Bailey of Seattle, WA, Alex (Sophie Brez) of Leawood, KS, & Gabe of WDM; Kinneers: Logan, Ethan, & Drew of Waukee; Camps: Kaitlyn (Julio Alvarez) of WDM, Caleb (Sami Lindsay) of Clive, Carson & Teagan of DM; Steffens: Maverick & Keegan of Waukee; brothers: Ronnie (Barbara) Camp of Green City, MO and Keith (Jeannine) Camp of New Carlisle, OH. Sister-in-law Dellois Dennis. Ray’s very first great granddaughter is due in September.
Ray was preceded in death by his wife Leota Camp in 1967, his father in 2007, his brother Marvin Camp in 2016, and his mother in 2018.
A Celebration of Life will all be held Friday, June 28, 2024 at the Lutheran Church of Hope Chapel, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266. Visitation will start at 10 a.m. with a services at 11 a.m.
On Saturday, June 29, at 11 a.m. Ray will be laid to rest in the Scobee Cemetery in Pollock, Missouri. A lunch will be provided at noon at the Pollock Community Center following the burial for those who wish to attend.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Rescue League or pass on an act of kindness in Ray’s memory.
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