Larry D. Camper, the son of Doris L. Howell and Doffie T. Camper, was born on March 3, 1950 in Mendenhall, MS. He spent his childhood between Brandon, MS and Chicago, IL. In the early fifties, Camper and his mother returned from Chicago to live in Mississippi with his grandparents, Lenard and Bethel Howell. Upon returning to Mississippi, he started school at Rose Hill Baptist Church and in May 1968, he graduated from McLaurin High School where he received several athletic awards, including being voted the best athlete in his senior year.
After high school, Camper began working for Mississippi Bank in Jackson, MS and was the first African American to work for a bank in Jackson in a position other than as a janitor. In the fall of 1968, he enrolled in Jackson State College and received a B.S. in Industrial Technology in 1972 while working for Mississippi Bank. After graduating from college, Camper enrolled in a management training program at the bank and after demonstrating an excellent work ethic that included a high level of professionalism, he was promoted to Bank Officer.
In December of 1973, Camper married his college sweetheart, Patricia A. Buchanan from Prentiss, MS, who also received her B.S. in Education in 1973 from Jackson State University. Camper and Patricia share two wonderful children, LaTonya Rochell and LaDerek Rashad and a son-in law, Derrick Kirkland. LaTonya and LaDerek are also JSU alumni and LaDerek was chosen as a First Team All-American in baseball his junior and senior year at Jackson State University.
Always aspiring to achieve and succeed, Camper continued to work hard at the bank learning all he could. In 1984, his drive and determination caused him to enroll in the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS to pursue a degree in Banking. Out of the 75 students enrolled in the program, Camper, again, succeeded as a first by being the only African American in this class to receive a banking degree in 1985. After graduating from the University of Mississippi, he continued to move up the ranks at Mississippi Bank, holding several officer positions. After 35 years in banking and four bank mergers, Camper retired from Union Planters Bank as a Senior Vice President. In January 2004, Camper was offered a position with the Hinds County Tax Collector’s office in Jackson, MS as the Assistant Tax Collector and Operations Manager where he continues to serve in this capacity.
Over the last 35 years, Camper continued his excellent work in the community from his affiliation with several community, social and professional organizations, including, Leadership Jackson graduate (1999); Vice President, West Jackson CDC; Chairman of the Board of Directors, Capitol City Classic (Jackson, MS); Minority Business Development Loan Board (City of Jackson); Mississippi Bankers Association; Urban Financial Service Coalition; JSU National Alumni Association; Jackson Metro Housing Project; and Education Committee Member for Metro Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Life Member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and member of New Hope Baptist Church located on Watkins Drive.
During his professional career, Camper also received numerous community awards and special honors, including “Outstanding Young Man of America” (1979 and 1985); and the Public Service Honor Award.