Jo and Eldon Surcamp

Jo Anne and Eldon Leigh Surcamp

Jo - 01.27.1940 - 10.08.2025

Eldon - 03.14.1938 - 10.26.2022

Jo Anne Surcamp passed away on October 8, 2025, at the age of 85 in Springfield, Oregon.

Jo was a loving wife, mom, and grandmother. She was born in Eugene on January 27, 1940, and along with parents John and Dorothy Dunn they lived in Eugene, Lowell, and Mapleton, Oregon before settling down with her family in Eugene.

She is survived by her daughter, Shari Higgins and grandsons, Jonathon and Benjamin Higgins. Preceding her in death was her husband of 62 years, Eldon Leigh Surcamp. They were married on September 2, 1960, at Central Presbyterian Church in Eugene after meeting at a State Championship basketball game where Jo was a cheerleader and Eldon was a player; and her younger brother Gordon wed in Oregon and moved to Russellville Arkansas with his wife Barbara where they raised their two daughters, Dawn and Tiffaney.

Jo was an “adopted” mom to many from the 1974-1977 Eugene Chics girls fast pitch softball team, her daughter’s friend groups, and every child, parent or family member of the many teams and many sports that she enjoyed with her family. She enjoyed baking, sewing (both as a seamstress by profession and as hobby) crafting and reading. Jo was a member of the Daisy Ducks in the 1970’s through the early 1990’s and met many life-long friends through their efforts fundraising for the University of Oregon. She was the bingo queen at Mac Court and assisted with sports banquets and awards.

In retirement, Jo and Eldon traveled, supported their grandchildren, and attended many of their baseball, basketball, soccer, and football games. They attended Harvest Community Church and were members of the Songbrook community. Jo also traveled the world solo with one of her best friends including countries in Europe, Asia, and South and North America.

Jo suffered from Alzheimer’s and after years of home care and family assistance, she moved into the Rawlin at Riverbend in January of 2018. She quickly made friends with residents and staff, who began to call her “JoJo” and there was no other identification needed.

Jo’s energy, positivity and caring for others will be remembered all who knew and loved her.

A joint Celebration of Life for Jo Anne and her husband Eldon will be held on Monday, November 3 at 2:00 p.m. at Harvest Community Church, 2700 Gilham Road, Eugene. Donations can be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association c/o Joanne Surcamp.

Eldon Leigh Surcamp passed away unexpectedly on October 26, 2022 at the age of 84 in his hometown of Eugene, Oregon.

Eldon was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, JoAnne, daughter, Shari Higgins, and grandsons, Jonathon and Benjamin Higgins.

He was born in Walton, Oregon on March 14, 1938 to Ira and Mae Surcamp, joining older brother Glenn. The family moved to Crow, Oregon, where Eldon was a multi-sport athlete throughout high school. His basketball team went to the State Championship, where he met JoAnne, a cheerleader for the opposing team.

He instilled that love of sports in his daughter, and coached her girls fast pitch softball team, the Eugene Chics, from 1974 – 1977. Under his leadership, the Chics went to 3 national tournaments where they took one 3rd place finish in Texas. Eldon went on to help youth and college players with pitching lessons and off-season training. He was also a great supporter of his two grandsons, regularly enjoying their baseball, basketball, football, and soccer games and golf tournaments.

Eldon worked his entire career for the Federal Bureau of Land Management, retiring as Area Engineer in 1994. His retirement years were spent with Jo road tripping and enjoying their grandsons. They were members of the Harvest Valley Church and regularly got together with their many friends in the Songbrook community.

When he wasn’t spending time with family, Eldon was an avid bowler, and enjoyed fishing, golf, watching sports, and gardening. His yard was the most manicured on the block and he kept an immaculate garage.

Thoughtful, humorous, and caring, Eldon will be forever in our hearts and memories.

A service will held at a future date. Donations can be made in his memory to the Alzheimer’s Association c/o JoAnne Surcamp.