Albert Allan Cameron, a retired colonel with the U.S. Air Force and a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and loyal friend to many, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones at his home in Woodstock, Georgia at the age of 84.
With Rocky Top as his cell phone ringer, it was clear Allan loved his home state of Tennessee. He was born in Shelbyville, Tennessee, to Waymon and John Walter Cameron in 1939, After World War II, the Cameron family moved to Signal Mountain where Allan attended Signal Mountain Elementary School and Baylor School for Boys graduating in 1957. He attended the University of Tennessee and graduated from UTC. While in college, he was a proud member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, following in his father‘s footsteps.
After graduation, Allan accepted an active-duty commission with the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Colorado Springs, Colorado when he met his beloved wife, Sheila. They were an unlikely pair who somehow formed a union born from destiny. She was a reliable extravert from Southern California. He was the genteel Southern gentleman who, nevertheless, enthusiastically held his wife’s drink while she danced on the table. Together they traveled the world making life-long friends and introducing their children to amazing people, experiences, and memories.
Allan was assigned to Strategic Air Command and was stationed at bases domestically and in Europe as well as served in Vietnam. While stationed at Youngstown Air Force Base, he was promoted Deputy Commander for Maintenance and due to his success, there was selected for the Wing position at Dobbins Air Force Base. Allan’s proud 32-year Air Force career concluded in Marietta, Ga., where he was assigned to the position of Wing Commander for Logistics and was twice deployed to the United Arab Emirates for Operations Desert Storm and Enduring Freedom.
A towering figure at 6 foot 3 inches tall with a baritone voice and an exacting work ethic, he commanded respect in any room he entered. However, his most prominent attribute was his boundless generosity and as military leader he was best known for the depth of concern he held for those under his command.
Like his wife, Allan loved having his home be a base for so many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and his beloved Colombian family. “Family by heart” is a strong statement that expresses his deep love for them.
He was thrilled when his daughters moved to Woodstock and loved dropping by to see them and his grand dogs. Dinners, whether by candlelight at the dining room table or at the kitchen island, were led by his standard prayer which always included bringing our troops home safe.
Allan is predeceased by his wife Sheila and his brother Ted.
He is survived by his beloved daughters, Shannon and Shea; son Sean (Connie); grandchildren Kyle (Kayla), Connor (Kelcy), Elizabeth and Colleen; great-grandchildren Hailee and Abigail; brother Harvey Cameron (Emily).
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, Feb. 2, at 12:30 p.m. at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home, 180 Church Street, Marietta, Ga. 30066.
Interment will follow service at 3 p.m. at the Georgia National Cemetery, 1080 Veterans Cemetery Road, Canton, Ga. 30114.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Air Force Aid Society https://afas.org/