Lt. Col. Donald M. "Donnie" Camp Jr.

We have lost an incredible husband, father, and amazing American patriot today. Lt. Col. Donald Mac Camp, Jr., USAF-ANG, age 44, reluctantly leaves behind his loving wife and saddened son. “Donnie” lived an incredible life and will be deeply missed and greatly remembered. He epitomized the American soldier with decorations of plenty. His family and friends truly admired him alike. Born January 25, 1978, and raised in Woodstock, Georgia, he resided throughout the great state of Georgia but primarily in Macon, Georgia.   While traveling around the world on various Air National Guard Missions, he remained a true servant to his country and fulfilled his family’s legacy to the Georgia Air National Guard with honor and admiration.

Donnie attended Woodstock High School, North Georgia College, and Georgia State University where he was a Pi Kappa Alpha and obtained a degree in Business Finance. While in college, Donnie joined the Georgia Air National Guard and traveled all over the world to serve its mission. With over eleven deployments and boundless missions of variety, he was a great servant to the United States Air Force and protector of our great nation. Beginning his career as a crew chief maintaining the JSTARS aircraft, working his way up the ranks as a pilot then instructor pilot, and later becoming the Commander of the 128th Airborne Command and Control Squadron, he put his heart and soul into his job. His career abruptly ended when he was diagnosed with brain cancer while on active duty.

Beyond his duty to his country, Donnie’s solemn mission was his family. Beloved husband to his wife of 20 years, Julie Vickery Camp, and father to his only son, Cohen James Camp, his family was his life. He loved to attend Cohen’s school activities, spend time on the lake, soak up the sun on Tybee Island and in Florida with his family, hang out at Camp family gatherings, and make music on his many guitars and drums. His beautiful singing voice and love of music will always be a prominent memory to his friends and family. People gravitated to Donnie to share a good story, laugh, or seek advice. He has many close friends to speak of who will miss his infectious spirit greatly. He was a saint in Cohen’s eyes and the type of father any child would wish for and any wife would adore. Donnie maintained the idea, even until the final days of his life, that the only way to live life is to work hard and love what you do.

Donnie is survived by his wife, Julie Vickery Camp; his son, Cohen James Camp; his Father and his Mother, Donald M. Camp and Willogene Camp; sister and her husband, Alicia and Carey Kirk; and nieces, Hunter Ann Kirk, Jameson Kirk, and Parker Kirk; Mother-in-law, Becky Vickery, Father-in-law, Dale Vickery; sister and brother-in-laws, Laurie Vickery, Jacob and Hiller Crook, Joshua Crook and Erica Jong; and nieces and nephews, Katie Benesh, Lily Benesh, Zoe Crook, Silas Crook, and Will Faircloth.

He is proceeded in death by his Grandmother, Margaret Ann Hall and Grandfather, Jim Hall; Grandmother, Ruby Camp Royal; Grandfather, Olan Avery Camp; Father-in-law, Ronald “Butch” Crook; Uncle Wayne Camp; and Uncle Terry Camp.

A celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at 12:00 PM at Sardis-Heard Funeral Home.  Family will greet friends one hour prior to the service. Chance Coleman will open in a prayer and Lynn “Velcro” Morris will officiate the service.  Renowned Violinist Amy Schwartz Moretti and Pianist Edward Eikner will honor the family with their beautiful serenading music. The family will have a private reception immediately following the service. 

Uniform of the Day Dress for Military Members.

The family has requested donations be made to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, PO Box 4486, Houston, Texas, 77210-4486, in honor of Donald M. Camp, Jr. 

The Celebration of Life Service will be livestreamed on Mrs. Julie Vickery Camp's Facebook Page or The Sardis-Heard Funerals & Cremation Center Facebook Page.  There will also be a recording of the entire service posted on Mrs. Julie Vickery Camp's Facebook Page once the video has been edited and uploaded.  

Please visit www.sardisheardfunerals.com to express condolences.  

Sardis-Heard Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 6125 Houston Road, Macon, GA 31216 has charge of the arrangements.  

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