Imogene Camp

Jean (Dalton) Camp passed peacefully at the Alzheimer care center in Las Cruces, NM on August 11, 2021 at the age of 87. A graveside remembrance will be held at South Park Cemetery in Roswell on Wednesday August 18, 2021 at 10 a.m. Arrangements are being handled by Ballard Funeral Home of Roswell, NM.

She was born in Lubbock Co. Texas March 14th 1934 to Dan and Sallie Dalton, Jean was the youngest of 8 children. Shortly after her birth her family moved to Roswell where she grew up surrounded by a large family of siblings, nieces and nephews.

Jean married her life long partner Jay Camp in Roswell. Jay was an exploratory mineral and oil driller, his career took them on many adventures and kept them on the move.

They lived in the middle east for several years during the 1950’s which allowed Jean to experience many things; riding camels to the pyramids, walking the streets of Bethlehem, and touring Cairo. She was living in Beirut alone when the US Marines evacuated Americans in 1958. Jean had a few hours to gather her belongings before evacuating to Turkey. Knowing her currency would be worthless in Turkey, she ventured into the markets and purchased valuable jewelry that she hid in her clothing. Upon arrival in Turkey she went to the local markets and sold her purchases for the local currency.

Jay’s career also took them to the jungles of Panama, she shared stories of having giant frogs on her front porch.  They lived in many places including a farm in Colorado, Abernathy, Texas, Wyoming, Farmington, and Alamogordo.

Jay and Jean finally settled in Ft. Collins Colorado where they co-owned MEDCO, Mineral Exploration and Drilling Co. Jean was very active in the community and had many friends. She enjoyed playing the organ, crocheting, crafting, playing cards, hosting dinner parties, and riding her snow mobile.

Upon retirement Jay and Jean returned to Roswell. Jay preceded her in death. Jean continued her interests and had many friends here. She was very proud of her genealogy research.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband Jay,  parents Dan and Sallie Dalton, and all of her siblings: Grady Dalton, Mary Dalton Sanders, Ruby Dalton Latner, Pete Dalton, Allene Dalton Spurrier, Jack Dalton, and Bill Dalton.

Jean and Jay didn’t have any children of their own but they were the favorite aunt and uncle to many nieces and nephews of several generations.

A special thanks to her great niece, Sherry Benting, who served as her caretaker.