Cameron Janzen

Cameron Janzen was an exceptional person with a wicked sense of humor and a huge heart. Cameron was full of joy, and found joy in showing kindness and compassion to those who would never be able to repay it; who did not often experience kindness in their everyday lives.

Cameron felt compelled to serve our country after 9/11. He chose to join the Marine Corps because it is the most elite branch of the military. The Marines drastically changed his world view because he was exposed to, and learned to appreciate, people who are different from himself. This broadened his perspective beyond a small-town point of view and gave him a deeper sense of compassion for others.

Cameron saw combat in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Because of his experiences in the war and the effects of combat, Cameron fought through and learned to live with severe PTSD. When Cameron was discharged from the Marines, he found peace at the ocean and moved to San Luis Obispo. He worked in the hospitality industry while earning his first bachelor's degree, but he knew he wanted to serve people in a more meaningful way. Cameron completed nursing school and earned his BSN during Covid, serving as Class President and graduating #1 in his class.

Nursing opened Cameron's eyes to the fact that not everyone has a level playing field. He came to understand his own privileges and used them to be a champion for the underserved community, both at work and in his personal life. Cameron found joy in volunteering with Shower the People and buying groceries for homeless individuals. Cameron loved being a nurse, helping people at vulnerable moments in their lives and being able to provide comfort and kindness to his patients. His coworkers remember his ever-present smile and appreciated his strong work ethic and dedication to excellence in his practice. Cameron was the first to offer help and actively looked for ways to lighten others' load. He was looking forward to advancing his career in the near future.

Cameron developed many deep friendships at Sharp Grossmont Hospital Emergency Department, with whom he participated in a fantasy football league. His friends shared his sarcastic sense of humor and love of football, and didn't tell when he called out sick for draft day. Cameron eagerly anticipated the start of football season each fall and considered the Super Bowl to be his Christmas. Cameron's grandpa Wilmer started an annual tradition of betting a milkshake on the Super Bowl with him when Cameron was small, which his mother continued after his grandfather went to heaven. Cameron delighted in obnoxiously touting the 49ers superiority to any other teams' fans.

Cameron loved his mom and his sister more than anything in the world. The three of them talked many times a week, often all on the same call. Words fall short when describing the bond between the three of them; they were part of each other. When Katie and Cameron were little, their mom told them they were like the Three Musketeers: "All for one, and one for all."

As time went on, new family members were added to the Three Musketeers. Cameron often sought the advice and wisdom of his stepfather James on all things mechanical, from fixing an engine to lighting a pilot light. Cameron eventually got the brother he'd always wanted when Katie married Deon, but was slightly annoyed that he would forever have to share his birthday. Cameron and Deon became close friends, bonding over their shared love of football and family.

Cameron was thrilled to be an uncle to Will and Hannah. He invested himself in their lives, in seeing that they grew into wonderful people who loved others. He delighted in watching them learn and grow, and actively participated in experiences with them. In turn, they loved him with their whole hearts. They loved few things more that wrestling with Cameron, being read to by him on the couch, or when he would push them too high on the swings. They talked with him often, and he patiently listened to every detail of their lives that they shared with him.

Cameron was fiercely loved by his mother, Deborah and stepfather, James; his sister, Katie, brother-in-law, Deon, and their children, Will and Hannah; his father, Mark; extended family, and more friends than he could ever count. We find peace in knowing that Cameron is with Jesus. He will be loved and missed forever.

Cameron's friends have generously created a Go Fund Me page to honor Cameron by donating money to Shelter to Soldier, an organization that connects shelter/service dogs with veterans living with PTSD. His family requests that any donations be given in Cameron's name to this organization.

https://gofund.me/7d013081

A memorial service for Cameron will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 11:00 at Reedeemer's Church: 819 W. Parlier Ave, Reedley, CA 93654.