Charles Lee Campbell

Charles was born in Paonia, CO, to Lesley and Rose Campbell (Bailey). He grew up on Steward Mesa, south of Paonia on a 200-acre farm. He graduated from Paonia High School in 1944. He joined the Navy after graduation, serving on the USS Natrona in the South Pacific war. He was very proud to serve his country in WWII.

After his discharge from the Navy, he returned to Paonia and started work for the Bureau of Reclamation. During this time he met and married Dorothy Bear in 1950. They lived in Fallon, Nevada, for a while, then moved to Denver, CO, where Charles worked for Mountain Bell for 31 years as a telecommunication engineer.

Dorothy preceded Charles in death in 1966. He later met and married Charlotte Bergen in 1967. When Charles and Charlotte both retired from Mountain Bell, they moved to Grand Junction, CO, in 1984 and became peach farmers. They eventually sold their peach farm and moved to Fruita, CO.

Charles liked to fish and camp, and spent many summers camping at Blue Mesa. Later in life he liked visiting with family and friends, and eating out with the Paonia gang.

Charles is survived by his five children, Michael Campbell (Shirley) of Lakewood, CO, Leigh Perschon (Steve) of Grand Junction, CO, Lesley Barger (Dave) of Morrison, CO, Lynne Peters (Mark) of Steamboat Springs, CO, and Charlene Campbell of Boulder, CO; brother, Dale Campbell; sister, Kay Bouchard, both of Grand Junction; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and his BFF, Muriel Myers of Grand Junction, CO.

Charlese was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Dorothy; second wife, Charlotte; brother, Pete Campbell; and infant son, Bruce Wayne.

Service will take place at 11:00 a.m. January 4 at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary, followed by a burial service at Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery at 1:00 p.m.