James "Jim" L. Cameron

Family will receive friends at Kauber-Sammons Funeral Home, 289 S Main St. Pataskala, OH on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 from 5 to 8 PM with a Memorial Service to follow at 8PM with Mayor Steve Butcher officiating.

James L. Cameron was born October 12, 1932, at White Cross Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, to James R. and Ruth C. (Cotton) Cameron, both deceased. He graduated from Columbus South High School in 1951 and proudly served in the US Navy 1951-55. He graduated from The Ohio State University in 1958 (B.S. in Education) and 1970 (M.S. in Educational Administration).

Jim taught Industrial Technology at Barrett Jr. High School, Yorktown Jr. High School, The Ohio State University, and Wichita State University. Then he served as assistant principal at Eastmoor Jr. High and at Northland High School prior to moving to the position of Supervisor of Industrial Technology and Career Development for Columbus Public Schools. He retired after 33 years with the school system.

Surviving him are his partner and wife, M. Kay Cameron; step-mother Madeline Cameron; four children, Victoria, Timothy (Carole), Brian (Tammy) and J. Scott (Sandy); one step-son, Brian (Kristin); thirteen grandchildren, Cameron Hildreth, Alishia Cameron, Eric Wilds, Jennifer DeChellis, Jillian Cameron, Mark Kennedy, Candi Kennedy, Jimmy Cameron, Denise Cameron, Joey Cameron, Jeffrey Cameron, Taylor Harms, Jason Harms,; cousins Jack Cherrington (Sue) and Jill Vecoli. He was preceded in death by one grandson, Jack Cameron.

Jim’s “second career” as a basketball and football official spanned over 50 years. He was a Life and/or Honorary Member of the Central Ohio Basketball Officials Association, Central Ohio Football Officials Association, Ohio Association of Football Officials, District 10 Basketball Coaches Association, Ohio Retired Teachers Association, The Ohio State University Alumni Association, O.P.E.C., SHPERA, NRA, Masonic Lodge #670, Scottish Rite, Aladdin Shrine, Buckeye Boosters, and was inducted into Epsilon Pi Tau Honorary. He served as an officer for many of these organizations. In addition, he served the Ohio High School Athletic Association in various capacities, such as rules interpreter, observer, evaluator, assigner, clinic organizer and participant, and curriculum development. He was inducted into the OHSAA Officials Hall of Fame in 1996. Jim loved athletics and particularly Ohio State football. He “worked” (refereed) the OSU practices for 26 years, then when he retired from college officiating he operated the down box on the OSU “chain gang” at each home game for another 10 years. In his “spare time” he coached at Holy Spirit School in Whitehall and was the first basketball coach at Bishop Hartley High School in Columbus. He firmly believed in the value of athletics in the educational process and willingly shared his time, expertise and experience with his “students.” Teaching was his passion.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Home Reach Hospice, OhioHealth Foundation, 180 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215-3707 or to the James Cancer Hospital, The James Development Office, P.O. Box 183112, Columbus, OH 43218-3112.