Obituary; Buddy E. Campbell

Buddy E. Campbell, 83, of Superior, passed away on Monday, April 27, 2015 at his home of natural causes, surrounded by his loving wife and two sons.

He was born June 22, 1931 in Spencer, Indiana, to Phillip and Mary Elma Campbell.

At the young age of 7, Buddy and his family moved from Indiana to Superior, MT, where he graduated from Superior High School and spent most of the remainder of his life.

He attended the University of Montana and studied chemistry. As a student, he  was a member of the ROTC Rifle Team achieving a top 10 ranking in the nation for small bore shooting. He received a BA in education.

Buddy was a determined young man who valued education, hard work and the great outdoors.  In between his studies, he held jobs at Diamond Match Lumber Mill and the United States Forest Service. While employed with the Forest Service, he manned forest fires and the Lookout on Landowner Mountain one summer.  As a surveyor drove the very first stake in the Diamond Match Road, now known as Trout Creek Road.

Buddy’s unbridled passion and determination to work, lent him to a number of careers; he served in the Air Force in the Korean War achieving 1st Lieutenant. Taught school in Willow Creek, Malta and Superior and worked for the Mineral County Road Department for 20 years becoming the Road Foreman for many years.  He started raising mink in 1965 in Superior, where he developed his own business with his two sons; David and Dale, retiring 43 years later in 2008.

Buddy took pride in Mineral County and all its beauty had to offer.  He valued the well-being of others and combined his knowledge to help those.  Buddy enjoyed reading, hunting, fishing and being outdoors. He married the love of his life Susanne Bailey, and has two sons David and Dale.

Preceded in death by his father Phillip, mother Mary Elma, brother Richard.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years Susanne; sons David (Diana) and Dale of Superior; brother William “Bill”(Catherine) Stevensville; sister-in-law Beverly (Al) Bellusci of Missoula; nephews Travis, Phillip and Roger (Lisa) Campbell; niece Susan DeMers; grand children; Ryann (Cory) Rugg, Racquel (Kyle) Rausch, Brian (Caitlin) Campbell, Dan Campbell, Matt Campbell ; 8 great grand children.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to: Superior 4-H Shooting Sports  P.O. Box 730  Superior, MT. 59872  or charity of donors choice.

A memorial service was held at 11:00 am Wednesday May 6 at United Methodist Church in Superior, MT, with Pastor Waveland King officiating. Burial  followed at Superior Cemetery with military honors. Reception followed at United Methodist Church.