My friend and brother you might be gone but you will never be forgotten. Rest easy!!!!

PSG Gaines  then 1SG Gaines. Always working out and loved his BMW X6. From 1-6FA to 1-7FA and always positive. RIP. We are truly sorry to hear about the tragic loss and may he get a beautiful place up there.

Centaurs and Falcons First,
JF

My deepest condolences to the friends and family of Mr Gaines. I was one of service advisors at BMW and will truly miss his stories and visits. He loved his BMW’s and we enjoyed his presence the times he came in. I loved hearing about him having to travel with his daughter’s cats. Rest in peace.

To The Gaines Family,
My deepest condolences. I'm sorry for your loss. There are truly no words for what your family has been through.

Cameron, 
I am proud to have called my brother and best friend for the past twenty years. You never mixed words, and you always called it like it is. I thank you for your honesty, unwavering loyalty, and compassion. We have served together in combat, surviving through impossible odds. No matter where I was in the world, you were there. We served multiple duty stations in demanding positions, enduring countless hardships for our families. The past few years have been exceptionally hard, but we always had each other's back for moral support and a should to lean on. Though I sit here in disbelief, I am glad that I was able to spend the holidays in El Paso with you before you passed. I know you wouldn't want me to sit around and be sad for the rest of my life. You would tell me to keep on living. I will honor your wish and do so, but I will miss you sorely!

DS Gaines first words to me as a trainee were “ what’s your damn MOS Private?” When I said medic he sucked his teeth and said “your big ass should be field artillery… get back in line!”  At the time, I had no clue what that meant but I knew it was the first time I was addressed individually by any of the Drill Sergeants.  As time passed, DS Gaines began to share with us his experiences in the military. Although the stories he told were gut busting hilarious, they were very informative and prepared us for what was ahead. Like I mentioned earlier, I was a pretty big boy in BCT. The runs always challenged me. DS Gaines would be back there with me struggling just as much.  “ Get up there private” Although you would never get him to admit he was hurting (Drill Sergeants never fall out lol) that bit of humanity gave me hope. Just because I’m not as fast as the others doesn’t mean I can’t be a great NCO like he was. Years later I saw him again in Germany. I was leaving 1/6 as he was arriving. Saw him briefly in passing prior to the 04 deployment. I would hear things about Smoke Gaines from the Soldiers I knew from 1/6 and the stories all validated what I already knew of him. Passionate, firm, hilarious, tactically sound, very intelligent and gentle giant of a man. We crossed paths once more in El Paso when I went for school back in 2018. We attended the 1/6 FA reunion together in San Antonio at LT Burden’s house.  That drive there was the scariest ride of my life. He was proud of his BMW X6 and wasn’t afraid to press the gas. The time spent on the ride allowed me to learn so much more about him as a person. Smoke cared about people. If you are reading this then you know this for yourself.  You will be missed my brother! Thank you for all you’ve done for us. Job well done Soldier.

This was in 2015 in Schweinfurt Germany. When we all had a get together was such a good time I will miss you TOP, I love you you were like a brother to me one of the best 1SG sergeants I ever met, rest in peace my brother do you will never be forgotten

I had the privilege of having Smoke Gaines as my platoon sergeant when I was a young platoon leader.  He taught me so much about being a leader and the importance of the NCO corps to the success of the US Army.  I’m sure he had many LTs that he worked with, but he was the only Smoke I ever had, and he was the best!  He was a great leader, hard but fair, and never too full of himself to have a laugh with his Soldiers.  Smoke Gaines cared about his men and they all knew it.  When things got rough, I knew I could depend on him and there is no one I would rather have deployed with at my side.  I count myself lucky to have gotten to serve with him and I will cherish the memories of our time together.  I’ll never forget you Smoke!

LTC Jim Gifford
“Ninja 6”

Smoke Gaines was the best platoon sergeant I ever had. He was rough around the edges but you knew he cared about his troops. The guy was funny as hell too. He made our deployment that much more enjoyable and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat just to be able to be in that platoon again.  Smoke was a genuine person and I’m lucky to have served with him. It’s hard but it’s fair!  Rest in peace Cobra 1-7.

CSM Gaines was stationed with me in Bamberg Germany, we even deployed to Iraq in 2004. I remember he was Sergeant first class Gaines, or as his platoon called him Smoke.... He was always joking around having fun. RIP brother. I hope we see each other again someday.... Rest easy soldier.... you've earned it. 
SSG Jacob Flores USA SSG Retired

OBITUARY

Cameron E. Gaines

July 17, 1968 – March 27, 2024

Martin Funeral Home East

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