Larry E. Cameron
Larry E. Cameron passed away on Friday, January 26th. Larry was born to Donald and Dorothy Cameron on October 27th, 1943 in Casper, Wyoming. He was the third of four children, including his older sister Donna, who passed away at the age of 13, his older brother Wayne, and his younger brother Michael. His dad was a big equipment operator, so they moved first to Compton, and then to Bakersfield when the Lake Isabella Dam was being built.
After graduating high school, Larry majored in accounting. Although he himself was not one of Jehovah’s Witnesses at the time, he had had enough exposure to their beliefs through his mother that when he was drafted, he became a conscientious objector and instead worked for a time in Orange County Hospital as a form of alternative service.
Larry moved to Santa Barbara for his job as a steel company manager in 1968. Although he never lived in Bakersfield again, he never forgot his Bakersfield roots. One of the blessings of his move was finding a magazine in his apartment complex one day, titled “Is It Later Than You Think?” Larry read the magazine through, and when the witnesses came to call the next week, he immediately started to study the Bible with them. He was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1970 in the Santa Barbara Central congregation.
As an active part of the congregation, Larry made many friends and met the love of his life, his Chula, Lupita. They married in 1971 and settled down in Santa Barbara. Early married life was an adventure. Larry loved camping, and the young couple went on many trips to national parks. As the cost of living rose, Larry realized he would need a more stable income. He went to H & R and took classes to learn taxes. He was such an outstanding student that they asked him to teach classes, and he did this for several years. After a while, he was receiving enough requests from potential clients that he decided to open his own practice in 1976. He started working from their house and later moved to an office. He continued to grow his practice, with his client list growing quickly based on recommendations and word of mouth. He was known for never being too busy for his clients. Even the IRS agents auditing his clients knew his reputation for being kind and fair.
In 1999, Larry’s years of tax season splurges caught up with him and he had to have 6 bypasses. Although he recovered well, he continued to have health problems related to his diabetes and heart issues. In 2018, after his worst year of health yet, he had to have his leg amputated. Due to his health issues, Larry “retired” in 2016. However, due to popular demand and his own workaholic tendencies, he maintained office space until 2022, and continued to help almost anyone who asked. Although he lost a leg, Larry never lost his sense of humor or mischievous smile.
Larry loved people. Whether it was a client or a friend, he would do anything to help someone who needed assistance.
Larry loved children, and children loved Larry. There are decades of children he helped encourage and mentor, who went to him for help or saw him as their own “Uncle Larry.” Although he was known for his good advice, he was loved for his tenderness. His playfulness and sense of humor drew both young and old to him, and they found in him a loving and caring friend.
Larry was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) in May of 2023. As shocking as the diagnoses was, Larry worked to maintain a positive attitude. He was never too tired to see his friends, never too exhausted to laugh at a joke. He never failed to light up from a visit from his friends and loved ones. Although losing his speech was hard for such a talkative person, Larry was always able to communicate love and laughter. Larry and Lupé appreciated the visits and support from their friends, and never failed to feel the love from all those around them.
On January 26th, Larry passed away peacefully with loved ones around him. Although we will miss his twinkling eyes, bright smile, heartfelt laugh, and loving spirit, we share Larry’s faith in the promise that soon we will all be together again, with perfect health in a beautiful world.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers and sister. He leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews including Kim (Mark), Dennis (Kris), Kari (Don), Michelle (Josh), and Michael (Cindy), and their children, as well as his sister in law Priscilla, his dogs Molly and Sammy, and his loving wife of 52 years, Lupé.
Services will be held on Sunday, February 25th, at 5pm, at Dos Pueblos High School Auditorium, 7266 Alameda Ave, Goleta, CA 93117.
Lupé would like to thank everyone for all the support, love and concern she and Larry received in these last several months and also through the years with Larry’s other health concerns. She would also like to think Larry’s doctors and health providers for their kind help and expertise. These professionals include Dr. Daniel Berger, Dr. Douglas Cummings, Dr. Edward Li, Dr. Sal Garofalo, Dr Ricky Linn, Dr. Robert Wright; Kathleen Kelsey and the team at the ALS Association Golden West Chapter; the VNA nurses and therapists including Dayna, Lindsey, Hannah, and Lena; the staff at Serenity House; and the team at Achilles Prosthetics and Orthotics.