Robert J. Camden

Robert Jerry Camden, Sr., 86, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, died Friday, July 15, 2011 at his residence. Mr. Camden was born Feb. 19, 1924 in Ellington, Mo. and graduated from Ellington High School in 1941. He served his country during WWII in the U.S. Army Air Corps where he was trained as a gunner on the B-24 and flew over 50 combat missions with the 485th Bombing Group, and was awarded many medals and decorations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and five Bronze Stars. Mr. Camden was for over 43 years a candy salesman for several companies, retiring from Nabisco in 1988. He was a member of the Avondale First Baptist Church and enjoyed spending time with his family and was an avid golfer.

On May 30, 1943 he married Mega Belle Reid in St. Louis. She survives.

Other survivors include a son, Robert J. Camden, Jr. and wife Susan of Conyers, Georgia, three grandchildren, four great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding Mr. Camden in death were his parents, Cecil C. and Mamie (Wadlow) Camden, a daughter Diana Camden, a brother John Mac Camden and a sister Betty McCarty.

Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. A Graveside service and burial with full military honors will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Poplar Bluff with Dr. William Vail officiating.