On January 6, 2016 the Lord made it real to us that we don't live on our time but live according to His plan and His timelines. His taking Cameron home is proof of that. We were not ready for Cameron to leave us, but we are looking forward to joining him again someday. His life was so full that all the pages of the paper could not contain enough space to hold the details of them.
Cameron Lee Johnson was first, a son of God through the salvation of Jesus Christ's death on the cross. He was also a beloved son to Robert and Marci, brother to Maddie and Cooper, grandson to Larry and Bonnie Buckner, Gordon Johnson and Jeri Pederson and the great-grandson to Esther Ronnfeldt. He was nephew and cousin to many and a friend to all who met him. His love was people and making genuine connections with them by making them laugh and think deeper and harder than they thought was possible. He was a good listener and gifted in so many ways. Most importantly he shared his love and connected with the people he encountered, who all become his friends. His deep bond with his friends is something that few people achieve with one person in their lives. Cam achieved it with many.
Cam was born in Salem, Oregon. He attended Salem First Baptist Church, went to Sonshine School, West Salem Dual Language Academy at Harrit Elementary, Walker Middle School, and West Salem High School. He received academic honors (National Honor Society, French National Honor Society) in all his educational pursuits becoming fluent in Spanish and developed a good grasp of French. Cam’s math skills allowed him to earn Oregon Trig-Star Awards. He put his full physical and mental strength into becoming a successful high school wrestler reaching the OSAA 6A State Meet as a senior. He worked hard to never put his academic or athletic pursuits above his dedication to his friends and family. He joined an elite group in the U.S. as a member of the West Salem High School ExploraVision Team that won a nationwide competition in 2014. The award was presented to the team in Washington DC with his entire family present. Attending the ceremony did not allow the team to be part of their high school’s graduation. Sen. Jeff Merkley graciously held a graduation ceremony for Cam and his classmates in his congressional office.
Due to Cam’s success in school he received a Regents Scholarship to George Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. At Pepperdine he continued to make an impact on people’s lives as he became a student and then member of the Psi Upsilon Fraternity and was honored to call them brothers. This year, as a sophomore, he traveled abroad to study at Pepperdine’s Buenos Aires, Argentina program. It was because of the support and nurturing of Cam’s teachers from grade school on that he developed an understanding that the world is much bigger than Salem, Oregon. He wanted to be fully immersed in using the gifts of his language skills and understanding of Latin cultures.
Cam participated in the high school’s 2013 trip to Ecuador where he fell in love with travel and the country. During his winter break this year from school in Argentina he planned to travel with friends around South America. Starting in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil he watched the largest fireworks show in the world on New Year’s Eve. He then left for Ecuador on New Year’s Day. It was there on January 6 that God called him home. His accident was tragic and swift, and occurred two days before his departure to Columbia was planned.
Cameron’s life will be celebrated on Monday, January 18, at 11 am at Salem First Baptist Church, 395 Marion St. N.E. Restlawn Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.