Even though we are continuing the search for firefighter/paramedic Cameron Carter, there will be a "Celebration of his Life" on Saturday.

Kenai resident Cameron C. Carter was reported missing Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, when the LifeGuard helicopter he was working on as the flight paramedic was reported missing in Prince William Sound near Whittier. Following an seven-day search, no survivors were found and it is presumed he made the ultimate sacrifice. He was 24.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Soldotna Bible Chapel. Central Emergency Services Chaplain Keith Randall will officiate. Departmental honors will be provided by CES personnel. A potluck and celebration of his life will follow at CES Fire Station No. 1 in Soldotna.

A second service will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17, at Fairview Loop Baptist Church, Wasilla. Pastor Tom Hoffman will officiate. A potluck and celebration of his life will follow.

Mr. Carter was born Dec. 19, 1982, in Columbus, Ga., and spent his early years in Newport News, Va., before his family moved to Alaska.

"He was a volunteer firefighter and EMT with the Butte fire department from the age of 14 and knew he had found his future career," his family said.

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 Aug. 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 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 those blessed to know him.

"He was a kind and generous person who loved his family and befriended everyone he met always putting others' needs before his own. Children loved him and you never saw him without his famous smile. His knowledge as a paramedic and firefighter was respected by his department and the community that he served. 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,'" his family said.

He was preceded in death by one of his grandparents.

He is survived by his parents, Bob and Jean Carter of Palmer; three of his grandparents; uncles; aunts; cousins; and relatives.

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.