Jerry Wayne Camp, 85, of Bella Vista, AR, passed away from ongoing health issues compounded by a fall that injured his neck. Jerry succumbed on Friday, February 28, 2025, in Cox Hospital, Springfield, Missouri. He was born at home to Ivan Oto and Aline Reeder Camp on November 16, 1939, in Haynesville, Louisiana.

Jerry grew up on the family farm outside of Haynesville and attended the Haynesville Schools, graduating in 1957. He served as president of the Haynesville High School student body in his senior year and played football for the Haynesville Golden Tornado team for four years. Southern State College in Magnolia, Arkansas, was the next step in Jerry's education, and he played football there for four years. He made the All-AIC team in his junior year and in his senior year, was Co-Captain of the Mulerider Team, elected by opposing teams to both Offensive and Defensive All-AIC Teams, and chosen for Honorable Mention in Small Colleges All-America Team in the 1960 season. In 2012, Jerry was inducted into the Southern Arkansas University Athletics Hall of Fame.

After graduating in 1961 from SSC (now Southern Arkansas University), Jerry was hired as an assistant football and track coach at Fred Whiteside Junior High School in Camden, Arkansas. Jerry taught math and science there for two years. After coaching for two years in Camden, he was hired as an assistant coach and math teacher for Magnolia High School in Magnolia, Arkansas. After three years in Magnolia, Jerry was hired as assistant coach, physical education and math teacher for Springhill High School, Springhill, Louisiana. Coach Camp served as defensive coordinator for the Lumberjacks until the fall semester of 1971 when he was named Assistant Principal at Springhill High School. His next work in education came as Principal of Browning Elementary School in Springhill. He became the interim principal at Springhill High School for the 1977-78 school year and returned to Browning Elementary in the fall of 1978 where he served until retirement from the Webster Parish School System in 1989. Upon retiring, Jerry became the principal of Taylor High School in Taylor, Arkansas. After two years, he became Superintendent of Taylor Schools until his next retirement in June of 1999. Throughout his career, Jerry was honored several times as Outstanding Elementary Principal for Webster Parish. One of his treasured honors while at Taylor High School was receiving the FFA Honorary Chapter Degree in 1999.

Jerry and Sally moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas, in the summer of 1999, where he enjoyed being near family. He was a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and choir member at Village Baptist Church. In the earliest days of his retirement, he played in several different golf groups, scoring a hole-in-one in September of 2001.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his infant brother, Billy Ray; and his two older brothers and their wives, Charles Rodney and Ruth Stucky Camp, George Ivan and Dorothy Havard Camp; sister, Nettylene Camp Williams and her husband, S.A. "Willie" Williams, brother-in-law, Ross Oglesby, and a dear son-in-law, Robert "Bobby" Upperman.

Survivors are his wife of sixty-three years, Sally Frances Allen Camp; two daughters, Dorothy Camp Upperman and Suzanne Camp Nicholas (Nick), all of Bentonville, Arkansas; two grandsons, Daniel Lloyd Upperman(Maia), of Denton, TX, and Mitchell Crawford Rowland (Taylor) of Bentonville; great grandchildren, Robert Augustus (Bobby) Vuykman, Tate  Crawford Rowland, and Taney Mae Rowland. Surviving siblings are his brother, Kenneth Don Camp (Jeannie); sisters, Jeanne Camp Coil (John), Marilyn Camp Griffith and Linda Camp Oglesby. Jerry is also remembered fondly by many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Village Baptist Church, 380 Glasgow Road, Bella Vista, AR 72715, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will be held after the service. Honorary Pallbearers will be ordained Deacons of Village Baptist Church and the 1970-1971 Springhill High School Lumberjack Football Team.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Village Baptist Church, 380 Glasgow Road, Bella Vista, AR 72715, or to the church of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.