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Dairy Industry Bids Farewell to Lifetime Leader

January 6, 2010

 

Dairy Industry Bids Farewell to Lifetime Leader

James P. “Tom” Camerlo, past Chairman of NMPF, passed away on December 3, 2009, after a courageous battle with cancer. Tom was truly a unique and special individual who profoundly impacted not only everyone at National Milk but the entire dairy industry – more than any individual in our history. Tom, who committed a lifetime of service to the global dairy industry, was known as the World’s Dairy Ambassador. His leadership skills were always on display, whether it was for NMPF, DFA, or the many organizations he represented during his many years of service.

Tom was the essence of friendship and fellowship whose warmth and infectious personality brought everyone together for the common good of the industry. Tom provided years of expertise and leadership to the dairy industry in the broader arenas of dairy trade, farm policy, cooperative marketing, and dairy product promotion.

He also provided leadership at the local level by being active with the Florence Elks, Lion Club, Chamber of Commerce, and St. Benedict’s Catholic Church. He also served on the board of the K-12 Foundation for Education and Destination ImagiNation. Tom’s leadership was rewarded by being named World Dairy Expo’s Dairyman of the Year in 2003. He also received the National Council of Farmer Cooperative’s National Cooperative Statesman Award in 1999; and in 1996 the Soil Conservation Service presented him the Conservationist of the Year Award. Tom was inducted into the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2001.

Tom was also devoted to his family which included his wife Barbara and four grown children, Tommy, Jimmy, Patty, and Brooke.

A scholarship to honor Tom’s legacy – the James P. “Tom” Camerlo, Jr. Memorial Scholarship – has been established at Colorado State University, his alma mater. Contributions in Tom’s name can be sent to the Colorado State University Foundation at P.O. Box 1870, Fort Collins, CO 80522. Checks should mention the James P. “Tom” Camerlo, Jr. Memorial Scholarship in the memo line.