Samuel Carter McCamy III, age 63, passed away on July 27, 2018. Born on his dad’s birthday, January 14, 1955, in Knoxville, Tennessee, he was the eldest son of Sam and Angie McCamy, and a brother to Gail McCamy Wedekind and Jeffrey McCamy. He graduated from Bearden High School where he played football and then attended his beloved university, The University of Tennessee, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and received his Bachelors of Science. It was at UT where he met the love of his life and best friend, Susan McConnaughey (Susie), and after seven years of courtship and behavior modification, they were wed and enjoyed thirty-six fun filled years of marriage together.
Sam is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife, Susie, his son George Tyler McCamy (Spike), his daughter Callie McCamy Jubran, her husband Nadim, as well as his beloved granddaughter Mabry. He is also survived by his siblings, wonderful in-laws, as well as many loving nieces and nephews who he adored.
His passion for business was evident to all who knew him. Sam was a grandson of one of the founders of Roden Electrical Supply Company, established in 1936 by H.D. Roden and S.C. McCamy, Sr. Their decision to open an electrical supply business in Knoxville, Tennessee was a direct result of the construction of electrical power facilities in the area by the Tennessee Valley Authority.
After working through college while serving in a number of jobs (including a “soap monkey” for an electrical contractor), Sam received his BS in Marketing from the University of Tennessee. In 1977, Sam began working at Roden Electric full-time as the Warehouse Manager. He also worked in Accounting, Counter Sales, Inside and Outside Sales to learn every aspect of the business. He then served as Vice-President of Sales for five years and became the President of Roden Electric in 1991.
Sam helped make a name for Roden by winning the Tennessee Quality award multiple times and gaining ISO 9002 certification in the 90’s. He ran innovative marketing programs that brought manufacturers and salespeople together to work on common goals. He also pioneered a central distribution center in the late 90’s in a cramped, cobbled-together facility before building a state of the art CDC in 2000 that created a platform for fourfold growth. Under his leadership, Roden grew from $12 million to over $120 million in annual revenues, culminating in the sale of the business to Kendall Electric, Incorporated of Michigan on July 20, 2007.
After 30 years at Roden Electrical Supply Company, including 17 years at the helm, Sam McCamy III left Roden to tend to personal and family business interests.
Sam held positions on the NAED Executive Committee, IDEA Board of Directors, IMARK Board of Directors, Colonial Electric Board of Advisors, Royal Brass & Hose Board of Advisors, Vanguard Distribution Group Board of Directors, IMARK Marketing Committee, President, Vice-President, and Treasurer of Electric League of Knoxville, NAED Area Chairman TN-KY, YET Committee – Southern Region, NAED Board Member TN-KY, WADA (Westinghouse and Distributor Association) Board of Directors, Leviton Advisory Council, Allen-Bradley Standard Control Advisory Council, Allen-Bradley Main Advisory Council, Hoffman Advisory Council, and the T&B Advisory Council.
A celebration of life will be held at Grace Presbyterian Church (1610 Midpark Rd., Knoxville, TN, 37921, off Middlebrook) on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:00-2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to UT Cancer Integrative Medicine (2121 Medical Center Way Suite 110 Knoxville, TN, 37920), a mission Sam felt very passionate about. Sam’s full obituary can be found here.
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