10/01/2026
Camdon Olmstead, 16, of Shepherd, Montana, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
Sixteen years was nowhere near enough time for Camdon. There was so much he still wanted to do, learn, and experience. But anyone lucky enough to know him knows that he packed an incredible amount of love, laughter, mischief, and joy into the years he was given.
Camdon loved big, and if you ever got one of his hugs, you know he hugged big too.
He had a contagious smile and an infectious joy for life. He was silly and stubborn, a jokester, easily embarrassed, occasionally mischievous, and incredibly sweet. Most of all, Camdon was kindhearted. He was quick to forgive, wanted the best for others, and had a beautiful ability to keep loving people even when things weren't always easy.
Camdon loved football, hunting, fishing, being outdoors, working with his hands, and learning new things. Through 4-H he enjoyed woodworking, welding, and showing pigs, and when he was eight years old, he was a state champion wrestler. He especially loved being alongside the people he looked up to, learning whatever they were willing to teach him.
His family was the center of his world. His mom, Donna, was his rock, his hunting buddy, and his very best friend. His dad, Dereck, was his hero and biggest fan. They enjoyed sports together. Camdon watched his dad closely, learning from the way he loved his family, tackled new challenges, and wasn't afraid to figure things out along the way.
Those lessons were lived out as a family. The Olmsteads dreamed of a life in the country, sold their home in town, and spent three years living in an RV on their property north of Shepherd while building their family home there together. Camdon learned firsthand that a beautiful life is something you build—with determination, sacrifice, and the people you love beside you.
Camdon was incredibly proud to be Carter and Cambrie's big brother. He teased them as only a big brother could, but beneath it was a fierce love and protectiveness. He loved being their big brother, and he loved them deeply.
School wasn't exactly Camdon's favorite place—at least not the classroom part. The people were another story. He loved making people laugh, being social, and giving his teachers a little grief. He had his hard days and kept plenty of adults on their toes, but even those who saw him at his most challenging loved him deeply.
Camdon wasn't loved because he was perfect. He was loved because he was Camdon.
Football was more than a game to him. It was where he found his people. His teammates became a brotherhood, and Camdon constantly encouraged them, had their backs, and celebrated their successes. Even when an injury kept him from playing, it couldn't keep him from his team. His coach called him their “hype-man,” and it fit him perfectly. Camdon showed up for his people.
At 16, Camdon was just beginning to imagine the man he would become. He looked forward to love, marriage, and having a family of his own someday. Those who knew his heart have no doubt he would have made an incredible husband and dad.
There should have been so much more.
More football games and hunting trips. More projects with Dad and time with Mom. More teasing Carter and Cambrie. More friendships, mistakes, lessons, laughter, and enormous hugs. There was a whole beautiful life still being built.
Even in the heartbreak of losing him, Camdon was able to give one final gift. His beautiful eyes were donated to two people in need of transplants, giving each of them the gift of sight.
There is something especially fitting about that gift because Camdon had a way of truly seeing people. He saw beyond someone's mistakes, their differences, or the ways they may have fallen short. He looked for the good in them, forgave easily, and made people feel like they were worth loving.
Now, two people will see the world through Camdon's eyes.
And those who loved him will continue trying to see the world a little more like he did.
Camdon leaves behind his parents, Donna and Dereck Olmstead; his brother, Carter; his sister, Cambrie; his grandparents, Mark Olmstead, Don and Rhonda Martin, Royal and Barb Johnson; aunts and uncles, Tiffanie Cantwell (Ahren), Jennifer Olmstead, Dwight Olmstead (Ruby), Lacey Johnson(Colt), Taylor Johnson, Kelsey Johnson and countless friends, teammates, coaches, teachers, and community members whose lives are forever different because he was part of them.
A service celebrating Camdon's life will be held Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1640 Broadmoor Drive, Billings, Montana, with a reception to follow.
In the hours after Camdon's death, his football team gathered together. Dereck was asked if there was anything he wanted to say to the boys.
His answer was simple:
“Make it meaningful for my boy.”
Those words are now a challenge for all of us who loved Camdon.
Be intentionally kind. Forgive a little faster. Give people another chance. Stand up for someone who needs protecting. Be your friends' hype-man. Celebrate their wins. Laugh loudly. Hug people tightly. Tell them they matter. Love people big.
Camdon only had sixteen years here, but sixteen years was enough for him to teach us something about how we use the years we're given.
Carry some of Camdon's joy with you. Love a little bigger because he was here.
Make it meaningful for Camdon.
