More on the Life of Cameron

Cameron was born in Torrance California on April 2nd 1986. The family moved to Clarendon Hills in time for Cameron to start Kindergarten. As the oldest of four he lead the family into the new areas of family sports, Church, travel, vacations, adolescent and teenage relationships, education (elementary, middle, high school and college, and probably most important relationships. Cameron was truly gifted at developing relationships. As a son, brother, relative or friend, Cameron set the benchmark on caring, supporting and loving others.

Through elementary school he was considered a very shy student and quiet in most of his classroom activities. One of his teachers stated that after disciplining him for something he did in class…she was the one who actually felt bad…Cameron just had that type of impact on people. He enjoyed camping and participating in Indian guides; especially the campouts and the floor hockey tournaments each January & February. It was at this time that he developed a love for sports and enjoyed soccer, baseball and basketball. Although competitive in spirit, his big feet and coordination challenges prevented him from being the “star” player on the team in the activities he participated. He did well in school and developed some friendships that would last for the rest of his short life. Cameron was an absolute gift during his elementary school years.

Cameron started Middle School at Hinsdale Middle School. A new middle school in Clarendon Hills was being built and Cameron moved to Clarendon Hills Middle School for his 8th grade year and participated in the first graduation class from that new school. Cameron continued to blossom during these years and his outgoing and gregarious personality really started to develop…his face started to grow into the oversized glasses we always purchased for him. He became more active in school and got his first real exposure to Christ Church of Oakbrook with the confirmation process during his 8th grade year. He started to grow into his feet and became a bit more competitive and comfortable participating in sports. He played traveling soccer and his family trekked throughout the Midwest to attend his games. Cameron’s love for soccer grew and he was very deceiving to his opponents for he was left footed and had significant power on that side. He continued to add friends and strengthen his relationships. Cameron was an absolute gift during his middle school years.

Cameron attended Hinsdale Central High School where he really blossomed, gained confidence and started developing his bigger than life personality. He played baseball for HCHS during his first two years. He tried out for basketball but did not make the final cut. Although disappointed, he was persistent. He got a bunch of other, almost but didn’t quite make it, basketball guys and started “The Generals.” The Generals scrimmaged against the Hinsdale Central Basketball Varsity Girls team and helped them toughen up and gain strength by playing against a good boy’s team. Cameron told his Dad…”This is perfect, I still get to play competitive basketball but now….I get to play with girls.” He continued to play intramural soccer, baseball and basketball. Socially he blossomed by attending most Hinsdale dances, social and spirit events and expanded his friendships…both girls and guys. Cameron also worked in town at the local pharmacy and volunteered at the Hinsdale hospital every week. Cameron also grew spiritually during these years and went on mission trips to Seattle, The Czech Republic and The Dominican Republic. He was an active participant in Koinonia (our Churches High School Ministry) during his High School years. His commitment, belief and love for God were strengthened during these years.

He loved going to his lake house in Wisconsin and having friends up for weekends at a time. Although he never became a champion skier he was a master of “the tube.” From playing king of the raft to midnight tubing, Cameron was competitive in his actions but passionate with the relationship he had with his friends. As a family we took many vacations during this time for we know Cameron would be going to college soon and vacation schedules would be different. These included but were not limited to Caribbean Cruise, Playa Del Carman Mexico, trips to the Wisconsin Dells, several short weekend getaways and of course camping trips. Cameron loved to be with family and continued to be a role model for his brothers and sister. Cameron was an absolute gift during his High School years.

As previously stated Cameron really blossomed in High School. However…when he got to College…he EXPLODED! Cameron embraced the freedoms he had when going to college and embraced any and all activities he got involved with. Not getting into the freshman dormitory his first year became a blessing and because of that most of his roommates and new friends were sophomores. These guys helped launch Cameron into the activities at Eastern Illinois University and then they got caught up in his vortex as he became involved with so many more activities. It was said that the luckiest guy at Eastern was Cameron’s roommate and then later on Cameron’s fraternity brother. He got very involved in school both socially as well as academically. He frequently stopped by professor’s office to talk or just see how they were doing. One of his professor’s wrote a letter stating “it is often said that a teacher touches a life – well, Cameron touched mine.”

During Cameron’s freshman year he pledged the Sigma Pi fraternity. Over the next three years he became very involved holding several offices and heading up many activities. He loved his fraternity and truly became a “brother” to the other Sig Pi members. He continued with his love for sports playing every sport imaginable (some popular and some we have never heard of.) For example, Cameron was so competitive, in even the most arcane sports/activities, he was proud to let everybody know that he was the “pickle ball” Champion of Eastern Illinois University during his senior year. This was an EIU sponsored intramural sport. During his four years Cameron traveled and visited many other schools to visit friends. He was always glad to get back to EIU.

During his senior year with graduation fast approaching, Cameron was deciding what to do after graduation. He thought about traveling throughout Europe for a few months, going on with his education to get his MBA or going directly to work. Because of a summer internship and interviewing with companies that came to his college to recruit potential employees; Cameron had two job offers prior to graduation. After weighing all pros & cons he decided to stay at EIU and complete the requirements for his Masters of Business Administration. (He also was having way too much fun.)

He graduated on May 9th, 2009. Cameron was an absolute gift during his college years.