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On December 3rd 2007, a LifeGuard helicopter was reported missing in Prince
William Sound near Whittier, Alaska. Onboard, Kenai resident, Cameron C. Carter was
working as a highly skilled Flight Paramedic. Shortly after leaving Cordova
Airport to transport a patient to Providence Hospital, the aircraft
encountered adverse weather conditions and failed to report in. Following an
extensive 7-day search effort, no survivors were found and it is presumed
that Cameron made the ultimate sacrifice on the flight. He was 24.
Cameron was born December 19, 1982, in Columbus, GA and spent his younger
years in Newport News, Virginia, before his family moved to Alaska. He was a
volunteer firefighter and EMT with the Butte fire department from the age of
14 and early on knew he had found his future career. He graduated from
Palmer High School in 2002. He received his National Registry Training
Paramedic/Firefighter certification in April 2004. He moved to Kenai on
August 1, 2004, where he worked for Central Emergency Services. In his off
time he worked as a Flight Paramedic with Providence LifeGuard. Cameron
enjoyed working on his house, fishing, biking, hiking with his dogs,
watching movies, and had a special passion for NASCAR racing.
He was preceded in death by one of his grandparents. He is survived by his
parents, Bob and Jean Carter of Palmer; and three of his grandparents,
uncles, aunts, cousins, relatives, friends and neighbors. Cameron had a
great love for animals. He loved spending time with his mom and dad, whom he
considered his best friends. His kind and generous nature and his reflection
of God's love will be missed by all those blessed to know him. He was a kind
and generous person who loved his family and befriended everyone he met;
always putting other's needs before his own.
His parents said, “We want to thank you all for your prayers, thoughtfulness
and kindness. We are so appreciative for the men and women who have
selflessly devoted their time and resources in the support of the search and
rescue efforts of our son and the crew of LifeGuard 1. There are not enough
words to tell you how grateful we are for everything done in an attempt to
bring him home. He has touched so many lives in such a short time. It is
some small consolation to know he died doing what he loved - in the service
of others.”
Children loved him and you never saw him without his famous smile. His
knowledge as a paramedic and firefighter was greatly respected by his
department and the community that he served. His calm and professional
demeanor in times of crisis was just another way he stood out. The personnel
of CES truly were his extended family. Cameron was on top of the world,
doing the job he dreamed of with people he loved. Our lives will never be
the same without him. He has left us a legacy of love, devotion, caring,
perseverance and smiles that will warm our hearts forever. In 1999, Cameron
accepted Jesus as his Savior and was baptized. God’s Word comforts us in
that we know, “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”
A memorial service was held at 1 p.m., Saturday, December 15th 2007, at the
Soldotna Bible Chapel. Chaplain Keith Randall officiated. Departmental
honors were provided by the personnel of Central Emergency Services. A
potluck and celebration of Cameron’s life followed at CES Fire Station 1.
Due to his many friends in the Mat-Su valley, a second service was held at 7 p.m., Monday, December 17th
2007, at Fairview Loop Baptist Church,
Wasilla. Pastor Tom Hoffman officiating. A potluck and celebration of
Cameron’s life followed the service.
