This is what we knew about Camdyn Meester-the eighth grader we all referred to as Cam, who died in a car accident on November 30, 2025. Cam played football at Beresford Middle School and had that infectious grin that never seemed to leave his face.
The details of the accident remain pretty hazy.
He leaves behind his mother, Carissa Hope, father Lee, and younger brother Braylon and sister Brecklyn.
A couple of years ago, I coached against Cam’s team when my own boy was in seventh grade. Cam picked a pass in the end zone and ran it all the way back, laughing the whole way. Even some of the parents on our sideline gave him applause. That was the kind of kid he was.
Last summer, he and Braylon were at the city pool. Cam spent the day tossing little kids into the deep end and saving them before they went under. The lifeguard finally told him to cut it, but every child there begged for one more turn. He just had that energy.
After hearing the news, Carissa changed her profile picture to one of Cam with a trophy from two seasons ago. Their cover photo is of him and Braylon in matching jerseys. My wife saw it and started crying in the kitchen. She said, “That could be our boys.”
Jean Neumayr Akland put it perfectly on Facebook:
“Our hearts are heavy across the Beresford, Alcester, and Hudson communities as we mourn the passing of Camdyn “Cam” Meester. Please keep the Meester and Hope family in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time”.
She added Carissa’s Venmo so people could help with funeral expenses, which no one ever plans for.
I drove past the middle school field yesterday. Someone had already left Cam’s number 22 jersey hanging on the fence with flowers around it. Kids stood there in a circle, some still wearing practice gear, just staring at the ground.
I’ve stood on those same sidelines for too many tragedies. You tell yourself it won’t happen here, then it does. You hug your own kid a little longer when they come off the bus.
The family hasn’t released funeral details yet. They’re taking it minute by minute.
Every parent I know is praying really hard for Lee, Carissa, Braylon, and Brecklyn. And for every one of their teammates who has to put on the pads again without number 22 lining up next to them.
Sleep easy, Cam. We’ll miss that laugh on Friday nights. You may also be interested in: Bremen Mom Calls Teens “Heathens” Over Bent Picnic Table – Entire Town Loses It in Epic Facebook Meltdown
