By Debbie Adams
William Byrd High School and the surrounding community celebrated the life of Cam
Thepsimuong in a Going Home Ceremony on Monday, Dec. 22. The school gym was packed
and overflowing with crowds of family, fellow students, friends, teammates, his church family,
teachers, coaches, school personnel, and more, gathered to remember the 17-year-old who was
“called to his heavenly home” on Dec. 17.
Until July 2024, Cam was living a pretty normal life, playing tennis and football (defensive
lineman) at William Byrd, winning hearts with his smile and bubbly personality, loving his
parents, brothers, and extended family, consistently making the honor roll— common teenage
pastimes and accomplishments.
Then he and his family got the appalling news that a worsening limp was caused, not by a
meniscus tear, but by a tumor in his knee, the result of a rare form of osteosarcoma— bone
cancer.
Cam went through treatments, navigated with crutches, eventually had part of his leg amputated,
and fought the good fight for a year and a half before he passed away. In those 18 months, Cam
did more to bring his Vinton community, William Byrd community, family, and friends together
than anyone in memory.
He steadfastly stood on his faith in God without wavering and recruited many others to that faith.
He changed the lives of so many. One person on social media said Cam had made him a better
person.
Cam’s family created a Facebook page, “Cam’s Purpose,” initially to help with medical and
travel expenses, but it quickly became a place for sharing faith, fears, feelings, health updates, a
calendar of events, and testimonies.
WBHS, other Vinton schools, other Roanoke Valley schools, clubs and organizations from
across the region, his neighborhood, businesses, churches, and perfect strangers continually
found ways to support Cam and his family. They held fundraising events, played area sports
games in his honor, purchased medical equipment, decorated “good well wishes rocks” for his
yard, made him cards for all occasions, and contributed to a family vacation.
Last fall, a group organized a neighborhood Christmas parade when they discovered how much
he loved the holiday; many in the town and county decorated their homes and businesses for
Christmas back in September in his honor; and the Vinton Chamber of Commerce made him the
Grand Marshal of the 2025 Vinton Christmas Parade.
WBHS Principal Evan Noell spoke at Cam’s early graduation ceremony on Oct. 19. He paid
tribute to Cam at his memorial service as well.
“While his illness presented many challenges, Camden’s life was defined not by his health, but
by his characteristic grace. He spent his final months exactly as he lived his life: with a gentle
heart, a focus on the beauty of the world, and a commitment to making every moment with his
loved ones meaningful.
“A 2026 graduate of William Byrd High School, Camden was a young man of deep and vibrant
faith. Since being saved in April of 2024, he walked closely with the Lord and eagerly shared his
testimony with anyone who would listen.
“He was a natural athlete who enjoyed football, tennis, and pickleball, but he was equally known
for his moves on the dance floor, becoming a frequent guest performer at local quinceañeras.
Whether he was collecting Pokémon or enjoying the ‘all-you-can-eat’ freedom of a family
cruise, Camden lived with an infectious enthusiasm.
“Camden was the embodiment of selflessness and determination. Even during the most difficult
parts of his treatment, his first instinct was to ask his nurses and doctors how they were doing.
He loved his family fiercely and cherished their time together, whether they were relaxing on a
beach or simply gathering at home. A true lover of the holiday season, it is fitting that he is
remembered now, during Christmas— his favorite time of year.”
Noell noted that there were many emotions evident in the gym for the memorial service—
sadness and questions, but also celebration. He spoke of the impact Cam has had on his
community, amazed by the power of one single person to touch so many other lives. He quoted
from Scripture, “Well done, my good and faithful friend.”
“We are all blessed to have known Cam and to have been part of his purpose. He has led many
people to salvation and changed the spiritual lives of many and will continue to have an impact
on thousands on a daily basis.”
Pastor Jason Cook and Youth Pastor W.T. Thompson of Valley Church presided over the
memorial service, which was filled with songs of praise from start to finish. Cook said that Cam had lived a full life, packing more living into his brief years than most of us would ever dream of.
Friend Gracyn Poff said that Cam “had touched and inspired so many.” They shared many of the
same interests and passions including “our faith in the Lord.” Unlike many teenagers, “Cam was
not afraid to talk about his love for God.”
The pastors then opened the floor to the students in the audience, inviting them to share favorite
anecdotes about Cam and how they had come to know him. Some who spoke had met Cam at
work or in high school; some knew him from first grade at Bonsack Elementary.
They shared memories of Pokemon cards, GaGa ball, pickleball, and pool. Several talked about
his love for break-dancing at a moment’s notice, and church camp. The common denominator for
their memories seemed to focus on Cam’s great sense of humor, playing jokes, eating, and
talking about his faith in God.
ballroom dancing program.
Youth Pastor Thompson said of the memorial service that “today is heavy, but it is not empty.
We are here because we loved Cam and his life mattered. His faith is pulling us together. Cam
didn’t just occupy space, he changed it. Cam never met a stranger, just friends. He didn’t pretend
dealing with cancer wasn’t hard, but while his body grew weaker, his spirit grew stronger.”
The message Pastor Cook delivered broached the topic of the meaning and purpose of death and
whether there is an afterlife. He talked about righteousness that leads to living a different kind of
life— as Cam did— of the righteous dying a different kind of death that leads them to heaven,
and of the different type of eternity they experience. He assured the crowd that heaven is very
real.
The service concluded with attendees lighting up the darkened gym with their phones and
singing “Silent Night.” This was followed by a recessional through the hallways of William
Byrd, led by a bagpiper, through a “Terrier Tunnel” formed by most who were there, as Cam and
his family were escorted from the campus.
His mother Charlene’s message to those mourning Cam’s passing was that “Camden finished his
race. He did not lose a battle, He never entered into such. He was told he had cancer; he lived
with cancer and was treated with cancer, despite cancer never going away. Camden decided to
continue to live with the time he had on this earth and he did. But he never lost the battle.
Because his battle, his fight, his purpose was to tell about God, to reach people in ways I never
could by restoring faith in others and to inspire others to want to know Jesus and be saved with
his continued faith. No, that is not a loss. He didn’t battle cancer; he fought to win souls to the
kingdom. He said if he could just reach one person, just one, then his time here would be worth
it. I can only imagine what that number is. I had the privilege of seeing my son take his first and
last step and I was there when he took his first and final breath here on Earth. I am heartbroken
over Camden as he is no longer here and I am sorry for our loss, but I am so thankful for
Heaven’s gain.”
The family extends their deepest gratitude to the nurses and staff at Carilion and Wake Forest, as
well as the nurses at Good Samaritan Hospice, for their compassionate care and support.
Cam was preceded in death by his aunts, Sue and Tor; paternal grandparents; and his maternal
grandfather. Left to cherish his memory and carry on his stories are his devoted parents, Anh and
Charlene Thepsimuong; his brothers, Liam and Kai; his maternal grandmother, Vickie; along
with a host of aunts, uncles, cousins (and twin cousin, Elena); and his beloved pets, Reese, Oreo,
and Tully. He also leaves behind his best friend, Titus; special friend, Gracyn; and his close
friend and spiritual mentor, WT; as well as his church family, and a community of friends and
peers who were touched by his outgoing spirit.
Arrangements were by Oakey’s East Chapel in Bonsack.
