On December 3rd, a LifeGuard helicopter was
reported missing in Prince William Sound near Whittier. 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 will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, December 15th, at the
Soldotna Bible Chapel. Chaplain Keith Randall will officiate. Departmental
honors will be provided by the personnel of Central Emergency Services. A
potluck and celebration of Cameron’s life will follow in CES Fire Station 1.
Please bring your memories and stories to share with his parents and friends.
Due to his many friends in the Mat-Su valley, a second service will be held at 7
p.m., Monday, December 17th, at Fairview Loop Baptist Church, Wasilla. Pastor
Tom Hoffman officiating. A potluck and celebration of Cameron’s life will
follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Cameron’s memory to a
special scholarship fund account through Wells Fargo Bank for the Fire Fighters
Explorers Program.
