Family and Friends Remember Life of Cameron Redus, 7 Years After Death
December 9, 2020 - Texas
In Memory of Cameron Redus. Dr. Corina Lopez holds a candle while attending a candlelight vigil honoring Cameron Redus on Dec. 6, 2016 at the UIW campus. Photo: B. Kay Richter
By Valeria Torrealba- Staff Intern, San Antonio Sentinel
Marking 7 years since Robert Cameron Redus’s death, the Redus family, accompanied by friends and loved ones, hosted their annual candlelit vigil through Zoom, livestreamed on Facebook on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 6.
Cameron tragically lost his life at the hands of former campus police officer Christopher Carter in 2013.
Cameron was an honors student at University of the Incarnate Word and was described as a “smart, loving, creative, mischievous” young man by his mother, Valerie Redus. Having touched the lives of many around him, Cameron’s life was celebrated and remembered during the candlelit vigil.
Led by Dr. Joseph Lopez and Jonathan Guajardo, both who shared a close bond with Cameron, the vigil was hosted on Zoom with Redus’s family present. Starting with a prayer, Guajardo commenced the vigil, which would follow with commentary from family members and other friends.
“We just appreciate everyone coming and loving Cameron,” Valerie Redus said. “How do you describe Cameron? I’m just so thankful to God for letting [Cameron] be a part of our lives. He was like a glue that held us all together.”
Facebook commentary also reflected on Cameron’s life, highlighting how much of a bright presence he was everywhere he went. Former coworkers described Cameron to be someone who could always be relied on “to make us laugh” and laid back at the paint shop.
“I always remember [Cameron] being adventurous,” Dr. Lopez said. “One of the things about Cameron wasn’t just his creative or professional ability, he had an aura of kindness that was infectious. It was something that other people always felt, and that resonated with us — even if he wasn’t around at the time, if you brought his name up, that was a feeling of happiness, of togetherness. He was a free spirit, someone that exuded taking a chance and being different.”
Valerie Redus and Mickey Redus (center) both speak during a candlelight vigil held on the UIW Campus on Dec. 6, 2016. Photo: B. Kay Richter.
Dr. Lopez kept his camera focused on a chimenea, lit vibrantly in honor of Cameron’s life.
The Redus family reflected strongly on Cameron’s life, highlighting his good deeds and welcoming demeanor. Having lost their son at such a young age, parents Mickey and Valerie Redus spoke of the things they would not get to experience with their son.
“A lot of you are transitioning in your lives, and it’s heartbreaking to us that we’re going to miss that with Cameron,” Cameron’s father, Mickey said. “We’re not going to get to know his wife and his children. He was a good blessing to all of us.”
Other family members chimed in with commentary, highlighting Cameron’s drive and ability to bring the community together.
“It’s so bizarre. I had a ton of respect for how he was growing. I wish he were there, right beside me, every day to walk through things with me,” Kris Redus said. “I admire so much how Cameron was into the community, always building friendships and bringing people around. He was just a center of community, naturally. I think that’s so special.”
Following the prayer and commentary from family members and friends, Valerie Redus led the traditional singing of “Silent Night” through Zoom, echoing her melodic voice through the call as others joined in.
The vigil ended shortly after with closing commentary from Dr. Lopez and Guajardo.
“It’s not just about Cameron’s remembrance,” Dr. Lopez said. “It’s about letting other people know to remember him, to hear the story, so that other people know that this is something that happened and something that we want to recognize and pay respect to, to keep alive and something to be reflective on.”
Valeria Torrealba is an opinions columnist and public relations assistant at the University Star, a student publication of Texas State University. Email her at reporter@sasentinel.com