Thomas Rudd Cambron

Thomas Rudd Cambron, age 87, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, passed away on June 24, 2026, at Hendersonville Medical Center. He was born on February 8, 1939, in Henderson, Kentucky, to the late Tom and Jewel Cambron.

Tom will be remembered for his quiet faith, steady devotion to family, love of travel, and the many friendships he built throughout his long and full life.

Tom graduated from Holy Name Catholic School in Henderson, Kentucky, where he was valedictorian and senior class president. He went on to attend the University of Kentucky, where, among other activities, he was a member of the swim team and Triangle Engineering Fraternity. It was also at the University of Kentucky that he met Mary Lou Field, who would become his beloved wife and partner for 57 years, until her passing in 2018.

Tom devoted his entire career to public service with the United States Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division. He began his career as an investigator in 1962 and retired in 2000 as Assistant Area Director of the Nashville, Tennessee office.

Tom was a faithful Catholic throughout his life and was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Hendersonville since 1978. Over the years, he was involved with the Knights of Columbus and, in later years, enjoyed fellowship as a member of his church’s Golden Guys and Gals.

Scouting was a meaningful part of Tom’s life from his own youth through many years of service as an adult leader. He served as Scoutmaster of Troop 30 in Chattanooga and Troop 157 in Hendersonville. It was a joy and a source of deep pride for him to see his love of Scouting continue through his family, with three of his sons and later three of his grandsons earning the rank of Eagle Scout.

Tom and Mary Lou loved to travel. When their children were young, they enjoyed family camping, including numerous trips to the Smoky Mountains. The family also made several trips out west in the family station wagon. After the children were grown, Tom and Mary Lou enjoyed cruises to destinations around the world. They later purchased an RV and traveled throughout the United States and Canada, including a memorable trip to Alaska. For many years, they also spent their winters in their RV in Pharr, Texas, as “Winter Texans.”

Tom and Mary Lou were also longtime square dancers. It was something they learned and enjoyed together, practicing the steps and calls side by side and traveling to dances and conventions around the country.

After Mary Lou’s passing, he moved to Clarendale Senior Living in Hendersonville, where he made many good friends. He loved to read while sitting on his balcony in nice weather and enjoyed playing cards (especially Hand and Foot) daily. He participated in weekly rosary and Communion services and enjoyed attending church with his Clarendale friends.

Above all, Tom loved his family. He was the very embodiment of a loyal and loving husband. He described meeting Mary Lou as “love at first sight” and never let go of that devotion as he cared for her in the final years of her life. He was extremely proud of his sons, his eight grandchildren, and his great-granddaughter, and he took great joy in hearing about their lives, attending their sporting events and activities, and sharing the things he loved with them. Fondly known as “Papa,” he was always eager to create memories with his grandchildren, whether through weekend camping trips, soccer games, or famous “Papa Breakfasts.” He took care of people; that’s just what he did. A Wildcat through and through, Tom loved University of Kentucky basketball, but his deepest love and greatest pride were always found in his family.

Tom’s family also lovingly remembers those who preceded him in death, including his parents; his wife, Mary Lou Cambron; and two sons, Robert (Bobby) Cambron and Richard (Rick) Cambron.

He is survived by two sons, Don (Cheryl) Cambron of Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, and Mark (Connie) Cambron of Goodlettsville, Tennessee; two sisters, Donna Sue (Dave) Hirsch and Lois Ann (Charlie) Marshall; grandchildren: Matt Cambron, Christina (Kevin) Cass, Hailey (Jack) Shuttleworth, Andrew Cambron, Nick Cambron, Morgan Cambron, Will Cambron, and Ryan Cambron; and his great-granddaughter, Cameron Cass.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 16, 2026, from 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. Central Time at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Hendersonville, followed by a funeral Mass at 6:00 P.M. Burial will take place on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 12:30 P.M. Eastern Time at Calvary Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the University of Kentucky Newman Center, 320 Rose Lane, Lexington, KY 40508, a place that remained especially meaningful to him because it was where his life with Mary Lou first began.