Mr. Ronald Ron Eugene Campbell

      To Mr. Ronald Eugene Campbell, the entire world was a stage. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, he was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around him, he seemed to be eternally happy, and he willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life he touched. For Ron, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, he could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Ron really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

      Ron was born on May 30, 1941 at born at home in Bear Creek, BC. His parents were Russell and Evelyn Campbell. Ron was raised in Westbank, BC. Even as a child, Ron had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around him. He was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. He couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention. He was definitely a little bit of a show off, but in doing so, he succeeded in entertaining his entire family.

      Always a good playmate, Ron was easygoing and fun loving. He managed to lighten the mood wherever he was, even during family squabbles. He seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Ron managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. Ron was raised with 2 youger sisters. He had a sister Carol, and a sister Diane.

      All of Ron's playful good humor carried over into his childhood. He was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed him to be constantly on the go. As a result, Ron experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited him very well. He took part in baseball, hockey and swimming. He was a Queen's Scout. In his spare time he liked collecting and selling turtles for pocket money, he also had a newspaper route. Ron's memorable achievements included all possible medals as a Queen's Scout.

      Ask anyone who knew him from school and they would tell you that Ron was a class “cut-up.” He didn’t do it to be unkind or to garner all the attention. Rather, Ron simply enjoyed others’ laughter and the sounds of his friends and acquaintances having a good time. It could be said that for Ron, grades may not have been the most important thing to him, but he really did enjoy his school experience. Since experience was Ron's best teacher. He enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory.” Ron graduated from Westbank High School in 1959. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite class in high school. Getting into trouble, and having fun.

      Ron reveled in his college years, where his imagination could run free. He was viewed by many of his classmates as being a creative, artistic person. Ron was usually found at the center of things, whether it was during class or in extracurricular activities. He was a jovial person who loved to share his passion for fun with others. But for Ron, life was not a case of all play and no work. Ron relished the task of putting his imagination to work in class. He was able to discover new and different ways of answering problems and creating unusual and different solutions. Ron attended a Heavy Duty Mechanics Course.

      Ron never actually encountered a stranger in his dealings with people. He was drawn to individuals and crowds, using his gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate his audience. This quality allowed Ron to continually develop new relationships, ever widening his circle of friends. Ron delighted in his role among all his acquaintances, because he viewed them all as potential spectators for his performance. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song or just plain fooling around, Ron was always right at home putting on a show among his friends. Ron utilized his interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, Ron had many, many friends. He and his best friend Jerry Hopkins were inseparable. Later in life, he became friends with almost everyone he met, but he had a special friendship with Bill and Ronikeens Pihach. Ron loved sharing life and having his home filled with people he knew.

      The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Ron very easy to approach. On June 26, 1965 Ron exchanged wedding vows with Rita Madelene Marie Charest at Immaculate Conception Church of Kelowna, BC. He tried hard not to impose on his spouse. He was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in marriage.

      At work, as in life, Ron was a real “people person.” He had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and his enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. Ron liked to see himself as something of a virtuoso. When dealing with various projects and problems, Ron was an adaptable realist, using his common sense and trusting his experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Ron's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around him to see Ron as an excellent problem solver. His primary occupation was Heavy Duty Mechanic. He was employed for Ron Prosser Chev Olds, Bennett Dam in Hudson Hope, McGavins, City of Kelowna.

      Ron enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. An “arts and crafts” type, Ron liked creating and making things. His favorite pursuits were Boating, fishing, hunting, He loved cooking - his culinary specialty was stew and dumplings. Ron was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

      Ron felt excited and challenged by sports. Even if he wasn’t the best, Ron loved to participate and thoroughly enjoyed the competition and the pleasure of being around other people. Ron relished the opportunities where he could make an impact, and he would often push himself to play above his abilities. A quick thinker who understood the basics, Ron never seemed to get caught off guard, even when confronted with unexpected conflict. In high school, Ron played hockey, baseball, and football. Recreational sports included downhill and x-country skiing, golfing, fly-fishing and water-skiing. Ron was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were hockey and football.

      Ron had an endless appetite for new and different activities. He was always ready to join in the fun and add his flair and energy to an organization. Because of his personality, his humor, and his ability to get along with everyone, Ron's service was greatly valued by the organizations to which he belonged. Throughout his later years, Ron was an active member of: the Kelowna Yacht Club since 1970 (Commodore 1981-82); the CanadianPower Squadron, (safe boating) he was Commander for one year and earned his 20 year Merit Mark; the Legion,.

      A generous person who often wore his heart on his sleeve, Ron often found himself involved in activities he deemed important. He was charitable, kind and giving, qualities that made him a natural volunteer. Outspoken in his beliefs, yet tactful in his dealings with others, Ron was a member of several community groups, he was involved with McHappy Days at McDonalds, Blind Fishing Derby, Boats for Hope, Lake Patrol during public events and all Water Functions.

      Vested with a deep concern for spiritual development, Ron recognized that his faith was important to him throughout his life. He was a member the Catholic Church all his married life.

      Naturally outgoing and generous, Ron was regularly doing things for others. For him, the gift of giving to others was second nature. Though he never set out to gain individual recognition, Ron was given accolades for his many and varied accomplishments throughout his life. One of his most prestigiousaccomplishments included being a Life Member of the Kelowna Yacht Club,.

      Living life in the fast lane suited Ron just fine. It is no surprise that he loved to travel and to visit new and different places. He was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. He was impulsive and willing to try anything once. Favorite vacations included: 25 consective vacations in Mexico, Vegas, Reno, Phoenix, Hawaii, Phillipines. His last vacation (2000) was a 2 week cruise to the Caribbean.

      Ron was a lover of animals and cherished his pets, enjoying them almost as much as he enjoyed being around other people. One of Ron's favorites was Chipoo - a cross Chiwawa-poodle. They were best friends for 20 years less 6 months.

      Ron believed that you had to experience life, and his life in retirement was no different. When that day finally arrived in Due to medical reasons, Ron took an early retirement, Ron took it in stride as one more way to have fun. With his boundless energy and a desire to get the most out of life, Ron remained busy with people and projects. In retirement, he found new pleasure in being able to play, and vacation, as much as he was able, and accumulate many more new friends. Even in retirement, Ron continued to stay in touch with his old friends and, since he'd never met a stranger, he made plenty of new acquaintances as well.

      Ron passed away on November 30, 2011 at Kelowna General Hospital, Kelowna BC. Ron passed away after 38 years of a couragous battle with MS and its ensuing complications,. He is survived by his devoted wife, Rita, who provided him additional years of quality life; Rita's family-including his Mother-in-law Clara Erasmus, Brother-in-law Jerry Charest, Sister-in-law Joanne (Mark) Knorr (Yan), sister Carol (Gary) Carr, sister Dianne (Pat) Toutant, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles. Services will be held at St Charles Garnier Church, Kelowna BC.

      Ron brought joy to all of those around him. He never had a mean bone in his body. He loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. He loved to share his energy, wit, and his zest for all of his activities with his friends and family. Mr. Ronald Eugene Campbell lived life to its fullest and made everyone around him happier just for knowing him. He will be remembered with a smile.

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CAMPBELL, Ronald Eugene passed away November 30, 2011 in Kelowna, BC at the age of 70 years. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Charles Garnier Parish on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers donations in Ron’s name may be made to the MS Society #230 - 1855 Kirschner Road Kelowna, BC V1Y 4N7. Rita would like to thank the family, friends, doctors, Interior Health management and the care aides that provided exceptional care for Ron.

Arrangements in care of First Memorial Funeral Services, (250) 762-2299.