Cameron Gooch

Cameron Travis Gooch, age 10, died peacefully on November 16, 2018 at home in the loving embrace of his father, mother, and sister, after bravely battling a rare pediatric cancer for over two years.

Cameron was born on July 1, 2008, in The Woodlands, Texas. A thoughtful, bright, sensitive, courageous, and determined boy, Cameron was known by family and friends for his old soul, ever-present smile, big brown eyes, and giving nature. Cameron fell in love with baseball at an early age, and he fell hard. He soaked up every nuance of the game, including history, rules, and stats on players, managers, umpires, stadiums, and mascots. He played little league baseball from the age of 4 until the age of 9, hitting the field even amid chemo treatments. His biggest dream was attained when he was signed as the youngest player to ever join the Houston Astros on August 17, 2017, courtesy of The Make A Wish Foundation. Our very own #17 celebrated with the rest of the Astros as they won the 2017 World Series. The team treated him as one of their own, and he was honored to call the players, front office staff, and their families his friends.

In addition to baseball, Cameron loved all animals, including the family's two cats, Flash and Davy, and every lizard, fly, or spider that ever found its way into the house. He had many stuffed animal friends that provided him comfort, including a teddy bear named Teddy that he cuddled from his time as a newborn until the end of his life, and a hamster named Flash, with a feisty personality and his own unique voice created by Cameron, given to him by his second-grade friends at Buckalew Elementary.

He loved detailed and imaginary play and could spend hours setting up baseball scenes and building Lego ballparks, writing elaborate stories, and creating his own worlds in drawings. He also enjoyed reading anything funny and anything about baseball, looking at maps and globes, watching westerns, following professional bull riding, collecting coins and baseball cards, and learning about history and science. Cameron was additionally known for having quiet, deep conversations with those he loved, often patiently teaching adults about all the things he knew. If you've had the pleasure of a Cameron talk, you know what we mean.

Cameron is survived by his parents, Aaron and Emmie Gooch; sister, Audrey Gooch; paternal great grandmother, Mary Gooch; paternal grandparents, Ron and Sharron Gooch; paternal grandparents, Ron Schmotzer and Carol Gooch; maternal great grandmother, Doris Taylor; maternal grandmother, Sandy Williamson; godfather, Ryan Flencher; godmother, Angela Koenn; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins who will miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by his paternal great grandfather, William Gooch; paternal great grandparents, James and Christine Page; maternal, grandmother, Debbi Taylor; maternal grandfather, Dan Williamson; and maternal great grandfather, Elwood Taylor, who are all rejoicing with him now.

A Celebration of Life will be held on November 27, 2018, at 1:00 at The Harvest Worship Center at The Woodlands United Methodist Church. A reception will follow the service. Because Cameron was a Houston Astro and his favorite color was orange, we ask that you wear blue, orange, or Astros gear to the Celebration of Life.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Candlelighters, The Sunshine Kids, the Astros Foundation, or the pediatric cancer charity of your choice. And our sweet boy's wish is that you honor him by choosing kindness always. And by cheering for the Astros, of course.

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12