Noble Grace Cammack

Noble Grace Cammack, loving husband, father, and grandfather, died on January 11, 2021, in Longview, Texas, at the age of 99 and three days from his 100th birthday.

Noble Cammack was born on January 14, 1921, in Brookeland, Sabine County, Texas, the third of five children of Claude Grace Cammack and Sadie Ethel Walker Cammack. A sixth generation Texan, he was born and reared near the land that had been acquired by his maternal ancestors in 1830 through Republic of Texas land grants. He graduated from Brookeland High School in 1938, and as a young man, entered military service with the United States Navy during World War II. He graduated from Kilgore Junior College after his years in the U.S. Navy, and then moved to Longview in 1946 to temporarily assist his mother, Ethel Cammack Byrd, in her local restaurant business and boarding house that she opened during the great East Texas oil boom of 1930. On a blind date in 1949, Noble met the love of his life, Juanita June Gossett, a young English teacher at Longview High School. Noble and Juanita were married on April 8, 1950, at the First Presbyterian Church in her hometown of Commerce, Texas.

Noble was employed by Eastman Kodak for a few years and then followed by Lone Star Steel Company from 1950 until his retirement in 1983. He held various accounting positions during his tenure with the company. After his initial retirement, he worked for several years for the City of Longview in the purchasing department, volunteered with Meals on Wheels, and enjoyed spending time gardening and traveling with his wife. In the last eight years, he found great joy visiting with many friends at his retirement residence at Buckner Westminster Place. Noble was a longtime and faithful member of First Christian Church since 1950, serving as Deacon and Elder. For many years he and Juanita were active and devoted members of their beloved Cornerstone Sunday School class and cherished their many friends in the church.

Noble was a true gentleman who always had a good and kind word for others, and he never spoke disparagingly of anyone. Kindness and humility were characteristics throughout his life. He was known to always carry his signature white handkerchief for any mishap a child or lady might encounter, he always stood to assist any ladies with their chairs, and consistently opened doors for others with a kind gesture. His handshake, or the affirmative nod of his head, was as good as any legally binding contract. A true patriot with love for his Country, Noble never missed an opportunity to proudly stand for the Pledge of Allegiance or the National Anthem, even when assisted with his walker in the last few years.

Mr. Cammack is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Juanita Gossett Cammack. Also preceding him in death were all four of his siblings, Stella C. Harper, Price Cammack, Joe Bill C. Goode, and Jimmie Cammack. He is survived by his four children: a son, Kerry Noble Cammack and his wife, The Honorable Harriet Smith O’Neill of Austin; a son, Bruce Alexander Cammack and his wife, Mimi Garland Cammack of Longview; a son, Stephen Gossett Cammack and his wife, Kathy Wickersham Cammack of Austin; and a daughter, Teresa Anne Cammack Rice and her husband, Harold L Rice, Jr., of Longview. He was loved and affectionately known as “Bobo” to his thirteen grandchildren and step-grandchildren: Alan Cammack, Stuart Cammack, Dr. Alex Cammack, Cole Cammack, Blake Cammack, Brittney Cammack, Kendall Rice Tomberlain, Casey Rice, Matthew Tidmore, Jonathan Tidmore, Brandon Tidmore, Carolina O’Neill, and Hailey O’Neill. He was also blessed with fourteen great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank his loving and devoted caregivers and companions during the last few years. Their love, dedication, and service is greatly appreciated.

The following words were printed on a piece of paper, always close at hand, and read for many years in the home of Juanita and Noble Cammack:

“Wherever you go this week, whomever you meet, remember to be kind and gentle, to be thoughtful and gracious, for you know not what burdens others may bear in their hearts or in their minds or in their bodies”.

The family will receive friends for a time of visitation Wednesday, January 13th from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Garden Court of Welch Funeral Home. A graveside Life Celebration with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 14, 2021, at Rosewood Park Cemetery in Longview.