Farming Community Loses A Friend
Jerry McCammon Dies Unexpectedly At 52
Posted: January 29, 2013
HARRISONBURG — The phone at Rockingham Cooperative’s purchasing and commodities office was ringing off the hook Monday, but most of the calls weren’t business-related.
More than 100 people called the office by midday Monday offering condolences to the co-workers of Jerry McCammon of Bridgewater, who unexpectedly died Sunday at the age of 52.
Some callers couldn’t get through the conversation.
“I got a call from [one] farmer … I mean, he could not talk,” said Keith Turner, feed division manager for the co-op.
Another farmer told Turner he feels like he’s lost a brother, while another called in complete disbelief.
“He says, ‘I’m just hoping you’re going to tell me it’s not true,’” Turner said. “He was just devastated.”
A Mennonite farmer walked into the office in all-black garb and offered his condolences.
“You can’t replace somebody like Jerry,” Turner said later, explaining the response. “The farming community sees Jerry as part of our family.”
Fred Smith of Stoney Run Farms Inc., the largest dairy operation in Rockingham County, summed it up this way: “Jerry, he’s one of kind,” he said. “He’s going to be greatly missed by many farmers.”
A Pennsylvania native and Penn State grad, McCammon had been a dairy nutritional consultant in the area since 1988 and spent nearly the last 10 years at the co-op.
He lived his life for his family, Turner said, including not only his blood relatives but also the local ag community, his friends, the Rockingham County 4-H’ers, his church and his co-workers.
McCammon was still raising lambs for local 4-H’ers and serving on the local organization’s steering committee until his death, although all three of his children — Robbie, 22, Chelsea, 20, and Jordan, 18 — had already made their way through the program. He’s also survived by his wife, Liz, his parents and a host of other family members.
The Lamb Carcass Extravaganza, Rockingham County Reared and Raised and the recent market animal boot camp were all his brainchildren. Each program was designed to attract more youth to every aspect of agriculture.
“Jerry was a wealth of information and knowledge, and he always was looking for the next project,” said Shelley Ellington, a 4-H parent volunteer, who helped McCammon implement many of those projects. “The kids just loved him; he just had a way with kids. … He left big footprints on the Valley.”
In addition to starting many current 4-H projects, McCammon was known to work long hours and often through his lunch break to get the job done. When he went overseas with his son, Jordan, last summer, he was worried about who would take care of “his farmers” for two weeks, according to Rockingham Cooperative administrative assistant Elaine Morris.
“He was not just their consultant; he was their friend, and he based his success on how successful they were,” Morris said.
But McCammon wasn’t all work and no play. He’s remembered for his warm, fun-loving, trustworthy personality.
“Jerry was a big teddy bear,” said Kevin Kunowsky, of Bridgewater, a close family friend. “He was a big, burly guy but [had] the softest heart.”
At least 200 people would attend his annual two-day birthday celebration, which has morphed into the so-called “Jerry-fest” over the years, Kunowsky said.
McCammon’s oldest son, Robbie, will remember him as a family-oriented man who was always available when he was needed.
“He was the best dad,” he said.
Jerry McCammon’s memorial service will be held at Bridgewater United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. Friday. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Johnson Funeral Service in Bridgewater and following the memorial service in the church fellowship hall.
Everyone who knows him knows the services will be packed.
“There’s no place big enough,” Morris said.
Contact Candace Sipos at 574-6275 or csipos@dnronline.com
More than 100 people called the office by midday Monday offering condolences to the co-workers of Jerry McCammon of Bridgewater, who unexpectedly died Sunday at the age of 52.
Some callers couldn’t get through the conversation.
“I got a call from [one] farmer … I mean, he could not talk,” said Keith Turner, feed division manager for the co-op.
Another farmer told Turner he feels like he’s lost a brother, while another called in complete disbelief.
“He says, ‘I’m just hoping you’re going to tell me it’s not true,’” Turner said. “He was just devastated.”
A Mennonite farmer walked into the office in all-black garb and offered his condolences.
“You can’t replace somebody like Jerry,” Turner said later, explaining the response. “The farming community sees Jerry as part of our family.”
Fred Smith of Stoney Run Farms Inc., the largest dairy operation in Rockingham County, summed it up this way: “Jerry, he’s one of kind,” he said. “He’s going to be greatly missed by many farmers.”
A Pennsylvania native and Penn State grad, McCammon had been a dairy nutritional consultant in the area since 1988 and spent nearly the last 10 years at the co-op.
He lived his life for his family, Turner said, including not only his blood relatives but also the local ag community, his friends, the Rockingham County 4-H’ers, his church and his co-workers.
McCammon was still raising lambs for local 4-H’ers and serving on the local organization’s steering committee until his death, although all three of his children — Robbie, 22, Chelsea, 20, and Jordan, 18 — had already made their way through the program. He’s also survived by his wife, Liz, his parents and a host of other family members.
The Lamb Carcass Extravaganza, Rockingham County Reared and Raised and the recent market animal boot camp were all his brainchildren. Each program was designed to attract more youth to every aspect of agriculture.
“Jerry was a wealth of information and knowledge, and he always was looking for the next project,” said Shelley Ellington, a 4-H parent volunteer, who helped McCammon implement many of those projects. “The kids just loved him; he just had a way with kids. … He left big footprints on the Valley.”
In addition to starting many current 4-H projects, McCammon was known to work long hours and often through his lunch break to get the job done. When he went overseas with his son, Jordan, last summer, he was worried about who would take care of “his farmers” for two weeks, according to Rockingham Cooperative administrative assistant Elaine Morris.
“He was not just their consultant; he was their friend, and he based his success on how successful they were,” Morris said.
But McCammon wasn’t all work and no play. He’s remembered for his warm, fun-loving, trustworthy personality.
“Jerry was a big teddy bear,” said Kevin Kunowsky, of Bridgewater, a close family friend. “He was a big, burly guy but [had] the softest heart.”
At least 200 people would attend his annual two-day birthday celebration, which has morphed into the so-called “Jerry-fest” over the years, Kunowsky said.
McCammon’s oldest son, Robbie, will remember him as a family-oriented man who was always available when he was needed.
“He was the best dad,” he said.
Jerry McCammon’s memorial service will be held at Bridgewater United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. Friday. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Johnson Funeral Service in Bridgewater and following the memorial service in the church fellowship hall.
Everyone who knows him knows the services will be packed.
“There’s no place big enough,” Morris said.
Contact Candace Sipos at 574-6275 or csipos@dnronline.com