Because of his pleasant personality as an infant, his father nicknamed him "Happy", and as an adult, the younger Camp legally changed his name so that the jovial word would appear on ballots as he ran for public office.

He attended elementary and high schools in Blackwell, Douglas, and Waukomis.

In November 1930 he married Vera Overman, and they had four children: Patricia, Kay, John III, and Steven Richard.

He served as chairman of the Oklahoma State Board of Public Affairs from 1967 to 1968.

Camp died from a heart attack in Enid, Garfield County, Oklahoma, on September 27, 1987 (age 79 years, 139 days).