Mike Cameron

John Michael Cameron, 77, of Jonesboro, died peacefully on January 15, 2024, at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House.

Born in West Palm Beach, Fla., the son of Billie Jean Staggs and C.D. Walker, Mike was raised in Jonesboro by his maternal grandparents, Myrtle and Fred Anderson. Mike graduated from Jonesboro High School in 1964. Upon graduation, he attended Arkansas State University on the Pop Parish Scholarship, where he majored in Civil Engineering and was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. In 1970, Mike earned a bachelor of science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Arkansas. From December 1968 to April 1977, he was a member of the 875th Engineer Battalion of the Arkansas Army National Guard, retiring at the rank of Captain.

After college, Mike returned to Jonesboro and began his engineering career with McDaniel Brothers Construction Co. Thereafter, he served as Resident Engineer with the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department from 1972 to 1976 and then worked for the City of Jonesboro as Director of Public Works / City Engineer from 1976 to 1984. In 1984, Mike started Cameron Construction Co., Inc., a roadway and bridge construction company. He also owned Associated Engineering and Asphalt Producers, LLC. Mike (mostly) retired in 2018, although he kept an office and many irons in the fire until just months ago.

Throughout his life, Mike had a passion for making sure that Arkansas roads and highways were safe for travel. He worked to help create Northeast Arkansas Good Roads, and East Arkansas Good Roads. The collective effort of those organizations, in conjunction with lawmakers and the State Highway Commission, resulted in the construction of the Arkansas Highway 67 / Highway 226 connector between Jonesboro and Newport, numerous improvements to Highway 63 between Jonesboro and Lake David, and ultimately the classification of Highway 63 as Interstate I-555. Mike served as Past Chairman of the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Transportation Committee, and was a member of Associated General Contractors and the Arkansas Asphalt Pavement Association. On November 30, 2023, the Arkansas Highway 226 overpass was named the John Michael Cameron Overpass in his honor. Mike was also named the 2021 Roy H. Jolly Volunteer by the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents and his grandparents, his in-laws Mary Belle and Dr. Grover Poole, his son-in-law Brian Kellett, brothers Spencer Siemen and Toby Walker, sister Dana Walker Bertrand, and brother-in-law Robert Bertrand. He is survived by his wife, Caroline Poole Cameron, of the home; his children Jennifer Cameron Kellett, of Memphis, Tenn., Ben Cameron (Lauren) and Marvin Day (Ashley) of Jonesboro, Leslie Porter (Jay) of Little Rock; and nine grandchildren: Alex Day, Mays Porter, Zac Day, Abigail Kellett, Jack Porter, Catherine Kellett, Sophia Cameron, Will Cameron, and Elizabeth Kellett. He is also survived by two sisters, Becky Siemen, of Cayucos, California, and Miki Willoughby (George) of Marked Tree; and three brothers Tom Siemen (Maria) of Peachtree City, Ga., Steve Siemen (Kimberly) of Lake View Terrace, Calif., and Peter Siemen (Marlynn Campion) of Las Vegas, Nev., 16 nieces and nephews, and too many close friends and other family to name.

The visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. on Sunday prior to the service.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 21, 2024 at Emerson Funeral Home with John Miles officiating. Burial will be private. All of Mike’s grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers include Dan Pierce, Alec Farmer, Stan McPike, Niel Crowson, Ruth and Rick Walters, and the Teena and John Broadaway family.

For lasting memorials, please give consideration to the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House (https://www.stbernards.info/locations/profile/flo-and-phil-jones-hospice-house/). The family wishes to thank Dr. Ben Owens, Dr. Mazen Kahlil, and all of the wonderful nurses at Hospice House, for his excellent care.