John Paul Cameron

John Paul Cameron, of Olney, MD returned to our Lord on the morning of March 28, 2024. He was born months premature on May 9, 2017 outside Vilnius,Lithuania. There, John miraculously endured in poor health for four years, travelling only between hospital and orphanage. He was adopted by Justin G. Cameron and Kelsey Welch Cameron on June 22, 2021.

In the ensuing three years, John came alive. He explored his home via wheelchair, walker, bike and gait trainer. One could always find John at the door, looking outward, knocking, awaiting his next adventure. He enjoyed trips to the bay and beach with six siblings, attending their sporting events and blowing out their birthday candles with gusto; he traveled down slides at playgrounds and up Sugarloaf Mountain on his daddy’s back. He overcame limitations on his mobility. John went by stroller, wagon, boat, kayak, paddle board, four-wheeler, jet ski and tractor - always surrounded by family and friends. He witnessed the birth of a new baby sister and the gift of a wimpy guard dog - both of whom he showed affection with loving caution.

In his last year, John attended kindergarten at Sherwood Elementary School where he delighted in the individualized devotion of his attending nurse, Baindu Koroma. He especially loved banging on the drums in music class and Friday outings in the community. John was known for his infectious smile and quirky gestures. He enjoyed a unique connection with his sister who shares his Lithuanian heritage and an extra chromosome. Greta lovingly fed, clothed and dressed him, nurturing a relationship of spiritual sustenance that will continue from earth to eternity. John endured the multifaceted sufferings of complicated medical diagnoses with perseverance and a can’t-keep-me-down-spirit.

He lived the Catholic faith of his baptism loving deeply and quietly, stirring all who endeavored to encounter him with an open heart. In addition to his parents, John is survived by siblings Finnian, Evelyn, Greta, Penny, Russell and Shirley; grandparents Thomas F. Welch and Lynn M. Welch both of Olney; grandparents Greg Cameron and Robin Cameron both of Novi, Michigan; his Godmother Jean Smith; dozens of uncles and aunts, 19 first cousins and many close second cousins.

The family will greet friends from 4:00-6:00p.m. on Monday, April 8, 2024 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 4101 Norbeck Rd, Rockville, MD, where the Mass of Christian Burial for John will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.  Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Silver Spring, MD.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Rosaria Communities, Inc., 15400 Calhoun Drive, Suite 125, Rockville, MD 20855, http://www.rosariacommunities.org/donate/