Cameron Gullette

Cameron Gullette passed away on January 14, 2015. He was born in Brookings, South Dakota to C.C. Gullette and Perla Hickman on February 10, 1923. Cameron grew up in Urbana, Illinois where his father was a French professor at the University of Illinois. While in high school, he was captain of his football team during his senior year, as well as a member of the wrestling team and band. Cam enrolled at the U of I where he pledged Phi Delta Theta and majored in Civil Engineering. In his sophomore year he met a beautiful freshman named Virginia Musselman from Quincy, Illinois, and in his words, "after one date I knew she was the one." When Ginger was ill later that year, Cam climbed the brick wall of the Kappa house to bring her a milk shake. The campus police were not amused. Cam and Ginger were married in 1944 at Fort Belvoir, VA. just before Lt. Gullette was sent overseas to Europe where he served as a construction engineer. After VE Day, the Army ordered his 1634th Engineer Construction Battalion to the Philippines to supervise the construction of Clark Field Army Air Base. After 2 more years of service, Cam and Ginger were reunited to finally start a new life together. Cam completed his Civil Engineering degree at the U of I and began work with Eastman Kodak, and a new baby was born. Family bliss was short-lived as Uncle Sam called him back during the Korean Conflict in 1950. He served 2 more years as a training officer at Fort McPherson, GA. Cameron honed his knowledge and skills in the janitorial service business while working for Floors, Inc. in Atlanta, GA. In 1957 he moved to Houston to start his own janitorial service business called The Cameron Company. The Cameron Company grew with Houston and expanded into cities across Texas and the South. Cam landed the first contract to clean the new Astrodome, pioneering new techniques and equipment for cleaning the massive structure. He also won the first contract to clean the new Intercontinental Airport. His clients included Bank of the Southwest, the Tenneco Building, Houston Live Stock Show and Rodeo and many, many others. Cameron also worked with Mayor Louie Welch volunteering his services to Operation Sparkle, planting hundreds of trees around Houston. Cameron was proud to be a part of the dynamic growth of the city, and his reputation as "Top Janitor" was well deserved. In 1980, Cam & Ginger sold The Cameron Company and retired to Brenham. They purchased acreage they named Hidden Hill Farm and raised cattle and restored and expanded an old farmhouse. They also enjoyed many summers at their cottage on Lake Charlevoix in Michigan. Ginger, the love of his life, passed away in January, 2006 after 63 years of marriage. Through the years Cam enjoyed hunting, water sports and spending time with his grandchildren. Most of all, Cam was a social bon vivant who made friends easily everywhere he went. His vocabulary and unique way of communicating with wit and humor made him a true character and friend to many. Cam is survived by his son Tom and wife Lynn. He is also survived by his grandson Robert Gullette and wife Kim, and by his granddaughter Kelly Gullette, as well as by his nephew David C. Gullette and family. Special thanks to Laura Sparks of Brenham for providing care for many years, and thanks to Brazos Valley Hospice for making the end of his life more comfortable. A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 24 from 5:00—7:00 pm at Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham. There will be no service. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Brenham Children''s Choir or the Unity Theater in Brenham. For more information, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com