Gary Lee Camp

Gary Lee Camp, 81, of Wood River, Nebraska, passed away on October 17, 2026, at home with his family by his side. A private family gathering will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Wood River Fire and Rescue. 

Born on May 4, 1945, in Palm Springs, California, to Floyd Camp and Arlene Dixon, Gary was raised in Shelton, Nebraska, by Raymond and Elnora “Noni” Camp, whom he considered his parents. He graduated from Shelton High School in 1963, attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and continued his education over the years, earning multiple degrees.

Music, history, and storytelling were lifelong passions for Gary. An accomplished saxophonist who also played guitar and sang, he performed with numerous local bands over the years. He especially enjoyed the rock and roll music of the 1950s and 1960s, returning to performing at local venues later in life.

Gary spent much of his professional life in community journalism, writing for a newspaper at Central Community College, the Shelton Clipper, and the Wood River Sunbeam. In addition to reporting on local news, he enjoyed writing columns that explored local history, memories of growing up in the 1950s, and interesting stories from the world of music and beyond.

He later worked at Hy-Vee in Grand Island, where he was known for his strong work ethic and willingness to help wherever he was needed. He remained remarkably active and hardworking well into his seventies.

Gary possessed a remarkable memory and an extraordinary breadth of knowledge, particularly when it came to history and music. Whether sharing a favorite story, recalling an obscure historical detail, or finding humor in an everyday situation, he had a way of making conversations memorable.

Gary married Patty (Racek) Camp on August 10, 1974, and their marriage spanned more than five decades. He is survived by his wife, Patty Camp; his son, Ryan (Tiearra) Camp; half brother, Ron (Joan) Dixon; and brothers and sisters-in-law: Bob (Renee) Racek, Ross (Kathy) Racek,, and Bruce (Jenn) Ernest.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Elnora Camp, and sister-in-law Pam (Racek) Ernest.