Charles Cameron Dies; Sitka High Grad was 79

Charles Gordon “Chuck” Cameron

On Tuesday, November 1, Charles Gordon “Chuck” Cameron passed away at the age of 79.

Chuck was a generous, fun-loving, and joyful person, with an unusual sense of humor, his family said. A friend accurately caught his personality in saying “Heaven just became a very interesting place!” 

Chuck was born in Sitka to Redes and Lillian Cameron, shortly after they  moved to Sitka from the Chichagof gold mine, where Redes was the mine electrician.

Chuck was a member of the Sitka High Class of 1961. After receiving an associate of arts degree from Sheldon Jackson Junior College, he went to work for the State of Alaska in Bethel. When Alaska pipeline construction began, he was hired as personnel director for the pipeline construction company. He served in that capacity throughout construction, and when the pipeline was completed, he attended the University of Hawaii, receiving a master degree in public health.

After returning to Alaska, he went to work in Anchorage for the Alaska Native Medical Center, now part of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, serving as Equal Employment Opportunity director.

While living in Anchorage he married Amy Van Single (Atomic Momma), a well-known personality in the Blues Community, and a member of the Blues Hall of Fame. Both Amy and Chuck loved and played music, and Chuck sang in the church choir.

Eventually, they moved to Ellsworth, Maine, where Amy preceded him in death.

Chuck was also preceded in death by sisters Virginia Phillips and Bonnie Gerow, and brother Robert Cameron. 

Surviving are siblings Evelyn Kanen and Dr. Kenneth Cameron, both of Sitka; and nieces and nephews including Cheryl Cameron, Russell Cameron, Walter Cameron, Yvonne Corduan, Dale Kanen, Hartsell Phillips and Sharon Mallonee, all of Alaska; Rebecca Knight and Lori Sims, of Washington; Kerry Cameron of North Carolina; James Gerow of Oregon; Sandra Noe of West Virgina and Karen Callen of Tennessee.

Memorial donations may be sent to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church 175 Downeast Highway, Ellsworth, ME 04605.

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