Gerald (Jerry) D. Cameron, 74, died Sunday, February 21, 2010 at Avera McKennan in Sioux Falls after a long battle with his health. He was born March 12, 1935 to Marion Dagmar Boysen and Jonathon Cole Cameron. Gerald was raised in Wessington Springs, the youngest of four older brothers and one sister. He graduated from Wessington Springs High School in 1953. He attended Northern State College in Aberdeen following graduation.

Gerald married Connie Rae Beckman on September 2, 1956. They made their home in Texas while he served in the United States Army. He began his sales career in the Western wear industry in Texas. During his 30 year sales career, Gerald and Connie also resided in northern California and Nevada where his entrepreneurial spirit flourished. He founded a Western wear necktie company and built a full service Western wear/equipment retail store in the 1970s and early 80s. The couple returned to South Dakota to live in their later years.

Connie preceded Gerald in death on May 10, 1998 in Pierre, SD. Gerald is survived by his beloved son Scott Cameron, Worthing, SD; his special granddaughters Kela, Grass Valley, CA; Kachina and Bailey, Pierre; and his brother Alan Cameron, Tucson, AZ.

Besides his gift for communicating with people, Gerald enjoyed many full years writing music, playing golf, hunting for waterfowl, and telling stories. He also loved to pen letters to his many family and friends. During his life, he wrote for leading Western wear publications and authored a nonfiction marketing book called King’s of the Road. Gerald more recently authored the children’s book Jesus and His Imaginary Dog Lucky, published spring 2010.

A private service will be held for his immediate family at Sturgis Veterans Cemetery.

Condolences to his family may be sent to P.O. Box 2, Lennox SD, 57039