Leon Ray Camp

Leon Ray Camp passed away on October 11, 2020 at home surrounded by his family. He was 88 years old the youngest of 9 children of A.J. and Ella Camp.

Survivors are his wife Linda Newkirk Camp, and children Valerie Wisniewski (Nick), Dr. Drew Camp (Dr. Diane O'Rourke), Angela Camp, Shawn Camp (Tina), and Larry Newkirk, Jr. He had 8 grandchildren, 3 step granddaughters, and 4 great grandchildren.

The family requests that everyone be mindful of the current environment and please wear your mask to the visitation and cemetery service.

Ray was a businessman, consulting forester, surveyor, appraiser, Methodist, and a 32nd degree KCCH Mason. Ray's forestry career began in 1954 when he graduated with a degree in forestry from Arkansas A&M College. His first job was that of Assistant District Forester for Dierks Forests overseeing 150,000 acres of company timberland. He later took a job as a timber procurement forester with J H Hamlin and Son. In 1958, he formed Ray Camp, Inc. Consulting Foresters. During the 1980's, the company grew to four offices in Arkansas and one in Florida. Ray was instrumental in forming the AR chapter of Association of Consulting Foresters, and received the Distinguished Forester Award from the National Association. He was the founding chairman of the AR State Board of Registration for foresters. He was also the founding chairman of the Land Survey Advisory Committee to the AR State Land Commission in 1973. As a representative of the AR Forestry association, he served on the committee until 2016, having served over 40 years. As a founding member of the AR appraisal foundation, he was instrumental in ensuring the state's appraisal licensing and certification legislation addressed the critical interest of Professional Foresters.

Ray served on the Society of American Foresters' National Committee of Timber Taxation and Valuation. He was called as an expert witness on forestry issues in municipal, circuit and federal court in a number of southern states. His testimony in a tax case involving an estate with timberland valued over 5 million dollars set the precedent for the way estate timber valuation and taxation is handled. The appraisal was adjusted to within 5% of the appraised value as defended by Ray Camp, Inc., and was a landmark decision now cited in federal timberland estate tax seminars across the nation.

He joined the AR National Guard in 1949 at the age of 17, and retired with the rank of Colonel and 40 years of service. In 1970, Ray visited the Jimmy Lile knife shop in Russelville and suggested Mr. Lile design a Bowie knife for the 39th Infantry Brigade. Lile later submitted his design to the Adjutant General and it was accepted.

Ray was a natural athlete, participating in all sports as a McGehee Owl, but he excelled at both junior high and high school football. He was named All-State running back in 1949, and was awarded a football scholarship to play for the Boll Weevils of AR A&M. In 1949, he received the first Lions Club award for outstanding football player.

He was a boy scout during WWII and became a Scout Leader serving as Pack Master, Boy Scout leader, and was involved in Wood Badge. He also served on various executive Scout boards. He was a Scout advisor and expedition leader on three Philmont treks. Ray was Scout Master at the 1981 National Jamboree at Ft A.P. Hill, VA., and also at the World's Fair at Knoxville. He served on the Quapaw Area Council advisory Board and Properties Committee.

Special thanks to UAMS Dr. Stephen Sorsby and his staff at the House Calls Program, Dr. Iris Kennedy at AR Urology, Home Team Advantage of Conway and caregivers they provided, Home Health Care IV, Arkansas Hospice, Little Rock Fire Department Station 16, Amy Osborne, special neighbors, friends, and family members especially granddaughter Taylor Newkirk Hay who made many trips to either help him up or to assist him in many ways for several years.

Memorials may be made to Boy Scout Troop 30 at St. Paul United Methodist Church at 2223 Durwood Rd., Little Rock, AR 72207.