Fred Robert Campbell
October 17, 1918 — January 7, 2014
Fred Robert Campbell, age 95, passed away Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at the Equinox facility in Gualala, California where he has been in elder care for the past 5 years. He was born October 17, 1918 in Gretna, Nebraska to William Lewis and Emma (Pahmeyer) Campbell. His family moved to the Trenton community in 1930 when they took up residency on the former Britton place on Old Highway 34.
Fritz was married to Helen Yvonne (Sander) Campbell for 57 years before her death in December 2002. In 1945 Fritz and Helen took up residency in their home on Old Highway 34 where they worked and raised their family. In his earlier years, Fritz was employed by the railroad when he was first married, and later he worked for the local Co-op. As their family was growing up, Fred and Helen not only farmed, but ran the local Campbell Creamery and Produce, made brooms, repaired shoes, and ran the Roxy Theatre on weekends, often providing free movies for prom night or various community festivities. In his retirement years, Fritz managed the Trenton city landfill and was an avid gardener who shared his produce, especially his renowned pumpkins, with others in the Fall.
Preceding Fred in death were his wife Helen, his son, James Robert Campbell who was killed in Vietnam, his brothers, William, Loyd, and Frank (and wife Eula), and his parents, William and Emma Campbell.
Fred R. Campbell is survived by a son George and wife Eunice of Ocean View, Hawaii, and a daughter Mary and husband Mike Payne of Lawrence, Kansas; four grandsons, J.R. Campbell and wife Melissa, Chris Campbell (Jennifer Saito), Michael Payne and wife Julia, and Joey Payne, and five great grandchildren, Ash and Willow Campbell of Kent, Ohio, and Simone and Sophia Campbell-Saito of Pleasanton, California, and Amelia Payne of Belton, Missouri.
Fred also leaves behind two nieces, Kathy (George) Hock of Culbertson, and Rita (Robert) Johnson of Kearney, and two nephews, Royce (Joan) Campbell of Columbus, and Paul Campbell of Culbertson. Memorials may be given to the Trenton Rescue Squad, which now resides on the former Campbell Creamery and Produce location.