John Harrison Cameron

CELEBRATION OF JOHNNY'S LIFE John "Johnny" Harrison Cameron, 70, of Fairfax City passed away at home, surrounded by loved ones, on July 20, 2019. A native of Fairfax City, he was born in Warren County, VA, on May 9, 1949. He was the third of seven children born to Allen Fredrick Cameron & Christine Thompson Cameron (Browne). He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Harry Marshall and Allen Fredrick, Jr., his son, John H. Cameron II (Kim) and his granddaughter, Gabrielle A. Arthur. He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Mary Shackelford-Cameron, children, Cindy Judy (Bill), Leslie Judy (Carol Ann), Traci Downs, Randy Kestner (Pam), Gloria Artz (Joseph) and Candy Cameron Arthur (Rick). He took the greatest pleasure in his grandchildren, Julie Cameron, Natasha Daniel (Billy), Rachelle Cameron, Jordan Judy, Casey Kestner, Jacob Schrader , Morgan Grace McCracken, Brianna Artz, Cindy Cameron, John Cameron III, Hailey Artz, Annabelle (Annie) Arthur, Molly McCracken, Christian Artz, Alexis Judy, Jonathan Kestner, and great grandchildren Benjamin Daniel, Kimberly Daniel and Cameron "Brody" Daniel (Johnny's namesake). He is also survived by four siblings, Audrey L. Breeden (Larry), Virginia F. Matteo (Bill), Thomas W. Cameron (Cathy) and Sharon C. Medlock (Mike), many wonderful in-laws, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, many cousins, neighbors and friends. He enjoyed making connections with his large extended family through annual family reunions, with as many as 80 family members and friends in attendance. Johnny was employed by the Fairfax County Public School's Grounds Department for 32 years where he took great pride in helping to maintain the schools' grounds and playground equipment, working his way up to the Assistant Coordinator. After he retired from FCPS he was employed by George Mason University for nine years supervising outside maintenance. He took great pride in his jobs and missed working once he retired. He truly enjoyed fishing and reading. He had a collection of pictures of the many large fish he caught to include the 5' 1" Yellow Fin Tuna, a fish requiring hours of work and help from friends to reel in. Every time he went to a store with books he was always looking to add to his growing collection. He was a long-time member of Moose Lodge #2168 and American Legion Post #177. The Cameron family would like to thank the staff of Fairfax Hospital for their caring support of Johnny on his stay on Floors 1 & 3 (Cardiac Units). The care he received was excellent and he really appreciated everything the staff did for him. A viewing will be held on Friday, July 26 at Demaine Fairfax Funeral Home in Fairfax City, VA from 6 – 8 pm. On Saturday, July 27, there will be a viewing from 11 am – 12 noon with the service to follow at 12 noon. The interment will immediately follow at Fairfax City Cemetery. Every month Johnny enjoyed playing Poker with the guys. He requested them to be his Pallbearers. The family respectfully requests donations to be made instead of flowers in memory of Johnny to: Sarcoma Cancer Foundation of America http://www.curesarcoma.org/johnny-cameron/ Please wear what you would like as Johnny wants his funeral service to be low key and not at all depressing and sad as we are celebrating his life. He planned a lot of his service for the funeral himself with smiles through out. Also, please think of the wonderful memories you have of him so you can speak at the service.