Camper, Jr., Houston M.

Houston M. Camper, Jr., 88, of Warsaw, died on Friday, March 31, 2006. Mr. Camper was born in Blacksburg, Va. on January 7, 1918, the son of the late Houston, Sr. and Cleta E. Camper. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 63 years, Dorothy B. Camper; and a sister, Cleo C. Winston.

He is survived by two daughters, Patricia “Pattie” Camper and Peggy C. Miller, both of Glen Allen; niece, Pamela Kanges, of Aptos, Calif.; cousin, William Camper, of Blacksburg; and other cousins, nieces, nephews, church family, associates; and special friends, Henderson Grissom, of Richmond, Thomas Boswell and Carroll Miller, of Warsaw.

Mr. Camper attended Blacksburg Public Schools and Virginia Tech. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Agronomy. He was of the class of 1941, however, due to illness, his graduation was delayed until December 1943. Following his army service, he was employed by Virginia Tech on January 1, 1947. His first assignment was from 1947 to 1950 with the Williamsburg Agricultural Research Station, working with the late R.P. Cocke. The station was relocated to the present location in Warsaw in 1950. He served as superintendent until his retirement on August 31, 1987 after 40 years and eight months. He served as a volunteer weather observer with the National Weather Service, NOAA, from January 1, 1951 to January 1, 2001.

A funeral service will be held at the Warsaw United Methodist Church at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 3, with burial in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 2 at the Welch Funeral Home, Marks Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Warsaw UMC Cemetery Fund or the Northern Neck Virginia Tech Alumni.