Davy Gayland Camden, 69, peacefully passed away at his residence on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026 after a courageous 15 year battle with Parkinson’s. He was born as Davy Gaylord Crockett on June 11, 1956 to Mary Joyce Burton Crockett and Walter Montgomery Crockett in Pulaski, VA. After the loss of his mother, Davy was adopted by Beryl Burton Camden and Bransford Samuel Camden of Madison Heights.

Davy graduated from Amherst County High School in 1974. He continued his education at Lynchburg College, graduating in 1978, where he also played 4 years of basketball. Beginning in 1979, Davy started teaching at Nelson County High School and passionately became the basketball coach and joined the football staff as an assistant coach. Years later, Davy took his love of teaching and coaching home to Amherst County High School where he coached basketball and baseball.

Those surviving his memory are his three children, Shane, Brett and KK; the mother of his children, Jackie; his grandchildren, Aiden, Addison, Acelyn, Ainsley, Annie Kate and Luna; daughters and son in law, Leslie, Tabatha and Jon; sister, Debbie; and brothers, Charles, Walt, Mike and Joe; and his furry companion, Bentley. He was preceded in death by both sets of his parents and his brother, Fred.

Davy spent his life dedicating his time and love of sports to enrich the lives of our community’s youth. If you didn’t have Coach Camden as your teacher or coach in high school, it’s very likely you had him as a coach in Dixie Youth or he was giving you pointers while he umpired games. He was the District UIC for 15 years, and the MHYBA UIC for 25 years. He also had the privilege of Umpiring two World Series, one in SC and one in LA. He spent countless years as a rec league basketball referee as well.

Davy was a lifelong member of Madison Heights Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon. His fondest memories from Madison Heights Baptist were the yearly Staunton River camping trips.

Davy also served his community by hosting Basketball Camps for the youth and proudly operated Camden’s Driver Training School. When Davy was driving, he was happy. Davy was also inducted into the Amherst County Sports Hall of Fame In 2015.

Davy was an amazing father, but nothing brought him more joy than being a Baw Baw to his grandchildren. There were car rides to school, ball lessons on the front walk, dribbling sessions in the basement, trips for ice cream or the pet store when parents said “no”, vacations where Baw Baw was the first one up and out playing, sunny days spent laying in the yard playing with trains and trucks, pretend driving and karaoke sessions in the car while mom or dad went in to shop. Baw Baw would drop whatever he was doing to watch his grandkids when his children called. Even when he was at his sickest, his face would always light up when they entered his room.

Davy’s illness was long, but he fought it head on, quite stubborn through most of it. His favorite catch phrase was heard on almost a daily basis “I’ve still got it” he would say. It was that grit and strength that allowed him to live as much life for as long as he could without a lot of help. As things progressed, the family was blessed to have a dependable and loving caregiver by his side and without Cathy Tucker , Davy’s request to remain at home might not have been possible.

A visitation will be held on Monday, March30th, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Madison Heights Baptist Church. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 31st, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Madison Heights Baptist Church. The family will receive friends at other times at his residence, 170 Gartin Place Madison Heights.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to MHYBA, POBOX 99 Madison Heights, VA. The family also requests everyone go buy a $20 scratcher in honor of Davy.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg is assisting the family.