Monday, April 20, 2009

In Memory of my friend Cameron Merrill


(at my mission farewell)

One of my best friends passed away April 9 from cancer. He was a great guy with super determination with big goals. Cameron and Eliana made it to their two year anniversary, which made me happy. His cancer was discovered while they were engaged. He was definitely a fighter and was certain he'd overcome it. Well, he's in God's hand now.

His funeral was very touching. His dad, mission president, brother Aaron, former bishop and friend Joe Hawkes spoke. My favorite story that was told was when Joe and Cameron were running a pest control business in Kaysville, UT, they didn't have a place to stay so Cameron convinced Joe to live in the mountains for 20 days. That is totally something Cameron would do.

I told Jen before we walked in the church, that if she wouldn't cry then I wouldn't cry, but then she started to cry, so that didn't last long. The most emotional part of the funeral for me was seeing Cameron's scouting bandelo, with his many merit badges. I grew up in his ward and did almost all those merit badges with him. I also was happy to see his JPI basketball hall of fame plaque on the same table.

One of my favorite stories of Cameron was when we went on a camping trip to southern Utah in high school. We all pitched in about 20 bucks to cover the costs. Cameron instead brought a drill and a door peep-hole. His plan was to stop at some small town on the way, go door to door until he sold and installed it to make the money. Sure enough, within an hour, he got his money to fund the trip.

Cameron's family is great and I can only imagine what they've gone through these past two years. Especially his wife Eliana who helped him so much through the cancer.


Obituary from Daily Herald

Cameron Lamoine Merrill
1982 ~ 2009

Cameron was born in Provo, May 17, 1982, the oldest son of Lisa Merrill and Michael (Susan) Merrill. He met his sweetheart Eliana and they were married April 6, 2007, in the Salt Lake Temple.

Cam was an Eagle Scout, graduate of Orem High and BYU Idaho. He served in the Poland Warshaw Mission. We will miss his smile and wink, his laughter. We are glad he is now at peace with his Heavenly Father after a two year battle with cancer.

He is survived by brothers, Aaron (Callie), and Tanner; sisters, Kristina and Brooke. Grandparents, Wendell and Geraldine Merrill, Fred and Pat Dixon, great-grandmothers, Elaine Merrill and Tressa Garrett.

We thank Dr. Rich and Dr. Hill for their kindness and care. We appreciate the prayers and services provided for Cam.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Cameron Merrill Memorial Fund at any Wells Fargo Bank.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 14, 2009, at the BYU 146th Ward Chapel, 710 East 800 South, Orem. Family and friends may call from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to the services. Interment will be held at Orem City Cemetery.

3 comments:

Melissa said...

I am glad that we were able to see you, but we are so sorry for the loss of such a good & neat friend. He seems like he was a great guy.

Brittany said...

We're sorry you lost such a good friend. same as what Melissa said.

canihavethisdance said...

I am sorry that you lost such a great friend. You have some fun memories of Cameron. I know that you will always hold your friendship and memories of him dear to your heart.