Norman Harold Campbell, 88, passed away on August 29th, 2024, in Fruitland, Idaho.
Norm was born October 4th, 1935, in Weiser, Idaho. He spent most of his life in or near Weiser, with 50 years in the Annex community across the Snake River from Weiser (address Ontario, Oregon). Norm was preceded in death by his parents, Grace and Wirt; an infant sister, Darleen; his younger brother, Jim; and a grandson, Ritchie.
After attending high school in Weiser, Norm joined the Army and served two years in Germany (1956-1958).
In 1960, Norm met Jackie McKinney from Ontario on a blind date with a group of friends at the Gayway Bowl in Fruitland. He was quiet, respectful, and very smooth, and easily out bowled the whole bunch, no bragging of course, just a simple smile. That smile and quiet persistence soon won the heart of Jackie and in 1962 they were married in a simple ceremony in Boise where they lived while he was attending Barber College.
His first job as a barber took him to beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and after a short time, a barber acquaintance offered him a job in Orofino where his older brother, Larry, lived.
The move was made and that started the trek back to his real home in Weiser.
In 1964, Norm and family moved to Weiser where he did some more barbering, but realized he longed for the wide-open spaces and began driving truck for various businesses before becoming an employee of Champion Homes where he drove truck, pulling double-wide homes throughout the northwest.
Speaking of wide-open spaces, that was definitely Norm’s comfort zone. My, how he enjoyed camping, fishing, and hunting in Idaho and Oregon; especially the big, all-inclusive, family campouts at Lost Lake. Unity Reservoir and Malheur were other favorite fishing locations, and hunting took him to many other places.
Professional baseball and football games were another area of joy for Norm. Thank goodness he was able to watch the Chicago Cubs win the 2016 World Series, after a dry spell of over 100 years. The Miami Dolphins were a favorite football team in the Dan Marino days.
Much later, and closer to home, the BSU Broncos were the team to follow.
Norm loved his family, and immensely enjoyed the many gatherings at his home, and got a kick out of teaching his kids and grandkids to fish and/or just having them ride along in the boat. He also enjoyed training his beloved hunting dogs to fetch those birds.
In later years, Norm and his cousin, Dennis Womack, had such fun times on fishing trips, and had a few wild and hilarious experiences.
Leaving the two-acre place on the Oregon side was traumatic for Norm, but the various health problems dictated the need to do so. Norm and his family are so grateful to his nephew, Jamie Campbell, who came to his rescue several times to pick Norm up off the ground or the floor, or to help him in some other way.
A home was rented in Weiser until the Annex place was sold, then the move was made to the Edgewood Assisted Living Facility in Fruitland, where both Norm and Jackie received the care needed. The family appreciates the care given to Norm, even though he was often not happy with the situation. So many times, he said “I wanta go home,” referring to his home for over 50 years at Annex, or to just how things had been with family and friends before the health problems worsened. At last, he is at peace.
Norm is survived by his wife, Jackie, his older brother, Larry, and his children: Kellie of Weiser, Tom (Tina) of Caldwell, Chad (Elizabeth) in Gilbert, Arizona, as well as his grandchildren: Zachary Torres, Sierra Wilson, Shaye Graf, Kelsey Campbell, Monica MeNair, Shelby Davis, Joseph Campbell and Alexis Campbell. There are a number of adorable great grandchildren, and more on the way.
Norm’s remains will be inurned in the Mausoleum at Hillerest Cemetery in Weiser.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to the Edgewood doctor, nurses, caregivers and staff for their attention, patience and kindness to Norm; as well as all persons involved with Horizon Home Health and Hospice.
Please join the family and friends at a gathering to remember and honor Norm of
Saturday, October 12, 2024, at noon at the Weiser Senior Center.
