Obituary | Cameron Rutherford | Mitchell Funeral Home

Cameron “Cambo” Rutherford

HELPER-Cameron Scott Rutherford, 28 years old, left this earthly life much as he came into it- like a shooting star. He came and went: ever shining, startlingly bright, and always moving fast, all the while amazing those around him with the distinctive gifts he was given. We lost him in his sleep in the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 25, 2023. Cameron was born October 4, 1994, in Price, Utah. He grew up in Granbury, Texas until 2010, when he moved back to the Price and Helper areas. 

Cameron is preceded in death by his great grandparents. Cambo left behind his beautiful and devoted mother Jennifer Cartwright, his father Scott Rutherford  (Anna), his adoring brothers Tristan Blue Smith (Stevie) and Levi (Alexa) Rutherford, his sweet sisters Kayla, Aryiah, and Lexee, his beloved nephew Zailyn and special niece Neveah, his ever loving grandparents David and Suzanne Cartwright, aunt Toni Bettino (Todd), uncles Jeff Cartwright and Ted Cartwright (BrookLyn), as well as his many cousins, friends, and pets (especially Itsy).

Cameron was a graduate of Carbon High School, class of 2013. He later studied at Utah State University Eastern to learn to work as an EMT and as an Electrician. Cameron loved working, he loved the travel it brought and the experiences he got to have as a result. He was a hard worker and hated to be bored. Cameron was a jack of many trades – he started working very young as a lifeguard at the Helper pool, as he could walk to work. He later had a variety of jobs including those at Smith’s, Renegade Fabrication & Welding, Lila Canyon Coal Mine, Helper City, working with stucco and masonry, and finally at JLC Fabrication. 

Cameron loved sports, but mainly football. He played for Carbon High and Mont Harmon Middle School, and he wore the number nine on his jersey his whole life. He also enjoyed wrestling, longboarding, and playing with the many children in his family. Babies and children  adored Cambo, and knew that they had an instant friend and playmate in him. He had a Peter Pan spirit, never wanting to grow up. He was always willing to shoot hoops, play pool, pong, cornhole, or any other game (especially if he was winning). He was an avid gamer, and had a massive network of friends on his Xbox ranging from the UK to Canada, going by the gamer tag iOptimalxRage. Cameron could get lost for hours gaming but as soon as they heard his pterodactyl screech, everyone around him hid because they knew he was done gaming and was ready to chase them around the house, annoying them in any way possible because he had sat still for far too long. Cameron was the kind of friend who both took on responsibilities and had a lot of fun.  He was meant to be the best man in two separate upcoming weddings this year. One of which was for his brother Levi, the other for his very close friend – Rylin Snyder. Those of us who know Cameron know that even this won’t keep him from being there in spirit. 

Cameron’s laugh was goofy and contagious. He loved pranks, hated spiders, and could never turn down a dare. As a child he had a cabbage patch doll that he was thrilled to get from Santa. That doll might have gained a mustache and a haircut along the way, but was deeply loved all the same. Cameron also had a baby blanket that was so well loved it was sheer. When he was eight years old he watched a movie about an untamed wild mustang titled Spirit, and he cried because he didn’t believe that a spirit should ever be broken. Much like Spirit, Cameron ran wild and free in the hills (be it on foot or in his truck) and had no intention of being restricted. Cam could climb like a mountain goat, but wasn’t as graceful coming back down. The great outdoors were his safe haven, he found great comfort when he was surrounded by trees and mountains. The beautiful book cliffs of Helper were he and Tristan’s playground. 

Everyone who truly knew Cameron would say that he had a heart of gold. You weren’t lucky enough to see it unless you knew him well, as he always sought to make you laugh. However, he was fiercely loyal, and was a protector of his family and loved ones. When needed, Cam showed up. He worried deeply and always wanted to see his mom and brother happy. Cameron’s very best friend was his brother Tristan, and he had been since the moment his baby brother was born. The practical jokes that they played on each other might have seemed over the top at times, but so were the lengths that they would go to defend each other. From even before he learned how to talk, Cameron was a storyteller. His Papa, Dave, remembers walking hand in hand with Cameron as a toddler in Granbury while Cameron chattered away, going on and on (as he did whenever he was serious) with Papa nodding his head in agreement even though he had no idea what young Cameron was saying. Cameron was very smart, and loved to research and learn new things online, and then share them – especially with his Nana, Suzanne. He always said he was lucky to have grandparents that listened. 

Each Sunday his mom, Jennie, would host family dinners. Cameron always looked forward to those dinners and was often suggesting new meal ideas and doing his best to help cook them using whatever utensils (or lack thereof) that he could find. Above all other desserts, Cambo loved homemade cookies. He loved them enough to throw a fit if they weren’t part of Sunday dinner. On his birthday, Cameron never liked having cake. Instead, his family had a hard time placing candles on the tops of pumpkin pies. There is no denying what a truly special and unique human being this world has suddenly become without. His laughter will be sorely missed, but we know it will linger on and we will hear it clearly from time to time, reminding us Cam wouldn’t leave us that far behind.

Funeral service, Tuesday, August 1, 2023, 11:00 a.m., at Mitchell Funeral Home (233 East Main Street, Price, Utah). Family will receive friends at Mitchell Funeral Home Monday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Tuesday one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the Mt. View Cemetery in Helper. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home where friends are welcome to share memories of “Cambo” at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.