Cameron Chi Zaragoza, 22

Cameron Chi Zaragoza, our beautiful son, was called home to Heaven on Jan. 15, 2026, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Southern California.

Cameron was born on March 16, 2003, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to his loving parents, Carlito Rho Zaragoza and Jill (McMillan) Zaragoza. He joined his 3-year-old sister, Marie, doubling the size of everyone’s hearts. Cameron was the sweetest baby. He was a snuggler and the best napping partner, attributes he carried throughout his life.
Early on, Cam developed a lifelong love for all things “monkey,” perhaps from having the cutest ears a boy could have! Of his many stuffed monkeys, "Congo" was his favorite and later inspired one of Cam’s tattoos.

Cameron attended Ramsey Elementary, where he grew into a fun-loving, yet impish boy, trying to keep up with his sister through a mix of admiration and sibling torment. During those years, Cam made a lifelong friend group affectionately dubbed “the boys.” Running cross country, playing park and rec soccer, bicycling and scootering, camping with family, skiing, playing with family dogs Chewy and Leia, swimming, swinging from branches in the treehouse, burrowing under blankets with a book, playing violin, road tripping to visit grandparents in Boise and Montana, and adventuring with “the boys” or neighborhood friend Jackie all filled Cameron’s early days with love, learning, and carefree fun.

Cam went on to complete middle school at CDA Charter Academy, participating in orchestra and drama while keeping up with his studies. He made special memories with Marie, performing together in school plays and the orchestra, as well as in the CDA Youth Orchestra.
Cameron chose Lake City for high school, and he made the most of it, even throughout COVID. As a Timberwolf, Cam participated in orchestra, drama, speech, ski club and tennis. After getting his driver’s license, he inherited his Grampa’s 2002 Chevy pickup and developed a distinctive left turn hand signal. Motorcycles became Cam’s other love, causing angst for his mother and great memories for his father and friends on bikes, including a TLR "Millennium Falcon," CRF "Liam," Rocket, and Africa Twin "Ted, affectionately named after a favorite Pomeranian. Cam loved to unwind with a ride and was often heard saying, “Dad, I just gotta ride dirt … ”

After graduating from high school in 2021, Cameron attended Boise State University to study computer science. After a year full of fun and mountain biking (and maybe less studying), Cam decided college was not right for him yet. He chose to join the United States Marine Corps, stating a desire to serve his country and join the family of fellow Marines. Cameron shipped out to boot camp in San Diego in January of 2023. We proudly celebrated his graduation a few months later, admiring our handsome, confident Marine. After attending small weapons technician training in Virginia, Cam was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California. As a Marine, Cameron grew into a disciplined, self-confident man and leader, both on and off duty. A highlight of his service was his deployment to the Philippines in his dad’s birth region. Cam appreciated this connection to part of his heritage and remarked on the intensity of the heavy rainfall and the countryside's beauty.
Throughout it all, the adventuresome, fun-loving boy lived on! We loved Cam’s stories of adventuring with his Marine buddies…skydiving, camping, airsoft battling, skiing, hiking, motorcycling, gambling, drinking, volunteering as security personnel at NASCAR races and Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals, getting fancied up in dress blues for the Marine Corps Ball, studying locksmithing, and buying a welder to teach themselves welding…among others.

Throughout his life, Cameron’s Catholic faith provided a source of strength and comfort. He received the sacraments and attended Mass and youth group at St. Pius X Church in CDA.

Loved ones surviving Cameron include his father, Carlito Rho Zaragoza (S.O. Sheila Burman); mother and step father, Jill and Bob Lee; sister, Marie Zaragoza (S.O. Connor Dowd); paternal grandparents Lolo Carlito and Lola Mely Zaragoza; maternal grandfather, Gordon “Pint” McMillan (S.O. Mary Ann Feist); auntie Alpha Zaragoza (S.O. Edward Merlo); auntie Beta Rappleye; uncle Jay McMillan (S.O. Jaime Lee); cousins Elijah and Duncan (wife Gabby Ross) Rappleye. Many great aunts and uncles, extended family, and loving friends also survive Cameron, keeping his memory alive in their hearts. Cameron was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Sharlene McMillan, and his great aunt, Darlene Cummins.

A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14, at 11 a.m. at St. Pius X Church, 625 E. Haycraft Ave., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815. Rosary will precede Mass at 10 a.m. Interment of ashes in the columbarium to occur immediately following Mass, with a celebration of life luncheon in the Hospitality Room to follow. Please join us to honor and remember Cameron and celebrate all the love, joy, and goodness he brought to our lives.