BYRON – Mark R. Cameron, 66, longtime Byron resident, died Wednesday, Oct.3, 2018 surrounded by his loving family in Generation at Neighbors, Byron following a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born July 17, 1952 in Galesburg, the son of Ray D. and Margaret (Babbitt) Cameron.
Married to Kay Johnson July 26, 1975 at the Court Street Methodist Church in Rockford. He graduated from Danville (IL) High School in 1970, received his B.A. from Eureka College in 1974 and his M.S. from NIU in 1992. Mark taught in Stillman Valley Middle and High Schools and then at Byron High School, retiring in 2011. He coached basketball and football at Stillman Valley and started and coached the golf program at Byron along with coaching baseball and basketball. In 2007 he coached the Byron High School golf team to an Illinois State Championship. Mark was always involved with his family's activities, including cheering at his daughter's running events and assisting his son in coaching. He was passionate about golfing and enjoyed bowling with his retired friends. He was a member of United Church of Byron.
Survived by his mother, Margaret Cameron of Rockford; wife, Kay Cameron of Byron; son, Daniel (Ashley) Cameron of Rockford; daughter, Jennifer Cameron of Arlington Heights; brother, Ray (Susan) Cameron, Jr. of Lexington, Ky.; sisters, Chris May of Rockford and Jodie (Tom Linnan) Cameron of Thermopolis, Wyo.; brother-in-law, Henry (Jean) Johnson; sister-in-law, LaVonne (David) James; and several nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by his father and parents-in-law, Ralph and Verla Johnson.
A Memorial Service was held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 11 in United Church of Byron with Rev. Dr. Jesse Tanner, pastor, officiating. Burial in Byron Cemetery. Visitation was 4-8 p.m. Wednesday in Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home, Byron. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to United Church of Byron or Byron High School Golf Program or Stillman Valley High School Boy's Basketball Program.
