Cameron S. Knight

Cameron Schardt Knight was born on June 25, 2007 in Lincoln, Nebraska to James-Michael and Melissa (Schardt) Knight. He entered his Heavenly home on April 15, 2024 at the age of 16 years, 9 months, and 21 days. Cameron was Dedicated to God on August 12, 2007 at Geneva Evangelical Free Church. He became a big brother on April 15, 2009 with the birth of his sister, Olivia April Knight. Cameron and Olivia were truly best friends their entire lives. Cameron attended Grace Lutheran School in Geneva from preschool through second grade. He developed a love for drawing from his older classmates at this one-room school. He also began piano lessons while in preschool, which he continued for ten years. In third grade, Cameron’s family started Ninth Street Knight School and he began the first of eight years of homeschool. Cameron frequently referred to homeschool as his most treasured possession. Cameron loved the Lord Jesus Christ with his whole heart and was baptized on his tenth birthday, June 25, 2017, at Geneva Evangelical Free Church. He said his baptism was the best day of his life. It was at this time that Cameron first began sharing his desire to become a pastor. Almost every Sunday afternoon of Cameron’s life, the Knight family and some of their cousins went to Deshler to visit Grandma and Grandpa Schardt. His cousins were his closest friends, especially Asher. Cameron considered Deshler to be his second home. In fifth grade Cameron joined the band at Fillmore Central Middle School. He began playing drums for his church’s praise and worship team in ninth grade and looked forward to Sundays of playing drums while his mom sang. In sixth grade, Cameron attended his first Nebraska Family Alliance banquet and was so inspired that he began shifting his dreams from ministry to politics. He joined the track team in seventh grade and another passion was born. Cameron first excelled in pole vault, but his love of running came through in eighth grade when he added cross country to the roster. At the end of eighth grade, Cameron and his fellow 4x800 meter relay teammates earned a spot at the Jr. High State Track Meet. When Cameron started high school, his love of talking led him to join the Speech Team in the Extemporaneous Speech category. He ran all the way to State Cross Country his freshman year and earned his way to State Speech his sophomore year. He enjoyed band and choir and was honored to be granted the role of the Beast in the upcoming school musical, Beauty and the Beast. Cameron was passionately pro-life and believed all life should be protected. He was conservative but believed that politicians should vote for what was right, not worry about party lines. Cameron’s specialty was foreign policy, where he was fiercely pro-Israel and pro-Ukraine. He spent his free time researching and discussing current events, government, history, geography, and theology. Last summer Cameron enjoyed a camp for teenagers interested in politics called Unicameral Youth Legislature Camp through UNL. He had a blast debating bills on the actual Nebraska State House floor, sitting in the seat of Nebraska State Senator Albrecht, and passing his sponsored “bill” to get rid of daylight savings. Cameron applied to and was accepted into the highly competitive Hillsdale College summer abroad program and had been looking forward to seeing Italy, specifically St. Peter’s Basilica, this summer. He was fascinated with church history and tradition and would be honored to know that on Sunday, April 21, a Mass at St. Gianna Beretta Molla Catholic Church in Denver was dedicated to him. Despite his serious interests, Cameron was a fun-loving kid who was known for always smiling. He and his gang of friends were usually goofing off while Cameron played the electric piano. He was thrilled to buy his grandpa’s bright blue 1994 F150 and attach a NATO flag to the back. Cameron loved running, roller-blading, yoyoing, seafood, and graffiti and was notorious for his crazy socks and his sunglasses. Exactly one month before his death, Cameron asked his parents how he could be an organ donor. The day of his accident, he had mentioned he wanted more flags for his 17th birthday and had told his mom that the thing he most looked forward to in growing up was public service. All of these wishes came true, as Cameron was able to donate his life-saving organs to others in need. As part of the organ donation process, he was given his own flag to honor his gifts. And, because of Cameron, public service workers are actively addressing the speed limit on Highway 81. Cameron was preceded in death by three preborn siblings, Elliott, Cora, and Nathaniel, and his grandfathers, Ronald Schardt and Michael Knight. He is survived by his parents, James-Michael and Melissa Knight; sister Olivia Knight; grandmothers Patricia Schardt and Jennifer Blair; great-grandmother Edna Reinke; cousins Asher, Cadence, Elyse, and Kemper Marquart; Abigail, Jonathan, Joseph, Joshua, and Elisabeth Fleenor; Henry, Ruby, and Amelya Schardt; Blake and Morgan Holliday; Laethion Brown, Loegun and Lael Covey; and Dakota Alexander; aunts and uncles Melinda and Andy Marquart; Stephanie and Jeremiah Fleenor; Aaron and Megan Schardt; Shayla and Matt Holliday; Sabrina and Michael DeBusk; and Dale and Gail Alexander; and a host of relatives and friends. He also leaves behind two beloved cats, PacMan and Dusty. A Funeral Service for Cameron was held on Monday, April 22, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at the Evangelical Free Church in Geneva, Nebraska with Reverend Jeff Jensen presiding. During the funeral service for Cameron there was special music selections starting with “Bless The Lord” (10,000 Reasons) sang by the congregation and cantor, Kurt Andres, accompanied by pianist, Danelle Andres; following the Tributes and Remembrances of Cameron, soloist, Annika Frook, accompanied by Danelle Andres, sang the song, “Beauty and the Beast” (Tale As Old As Time); Asher Marquart, a cousin to Cameron, played a song on piano he composed named, “Cameron’s Song”; following the Sermon the congregation led by cantor, Kurt Andres, accompanied by Danelle Andres on piano sang, “I Will Rise”; the recessional song, “Go My Children” (With My Blessing) was sang by the congregation with Kurt Andres leading the congregation and Danelle Andres accompanying on piano. Pallbearers included Laethion Brown, Henry Schardt, Asher Marquart, Blake Holliday, Jonathan Fleenor, and Kemper Marquart. Honorary pallbearers were the students of Fillmore Central High School. Graveside Services were conducted following the Funeral Service at the Geneva Public Cemetery in Geneva, Nebraska. Memorials were directed to Nebraska Family Alliance (online link for donations in Cameron’s name: nebraskafamilyalliance.org), Alliance Defending Freedom (online link for donations in Cameron’s name: https://adflegal.org/support/cameron-knight), Agape International Missions (online link for donations in Cameron’s name: aimfree.org) or to the family for later designation in Cameron's name. Farmer & Son Funeral Home was in charge of funeral arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com.

Tributes

Cameron S. Knight

June 25, 2007 - April 15, 2024