Gerald Lee Campbell's Obituary
Gerald Lee Campbell, age 86, passed away peacefully on August 29th 2024 in Edmonds, WA. Jerry was born in Shelton, WA to parents Leroy and Opal Campbell. He grew up in the Seattle area and graduated from Roosevelt High school in 1956. He then started working for the US Dept. of Agriculture Forest Service before serving in the United States Navy from 1958-1962 as a communications technician. He served in various locations including: Pearl Harbor Hawaii, Okinawa Japan and California. Jerry also had many fond memories and stories to tell of his time spent as a leader in the Boy Scouts during his younger years, before and after his time of enlistment in the navy.
After the Navy, Jerry started working for Boeing, installing minuteman missiles in North Dakota during which time he met his loving wife of fifty-five years. They married in 1964 and moved to WA state.
Jerry and Coleen lived in Centralia and Ellensburg while they both finished their teaching degrees before settling in Steilacoom, WA. Jerry enjoyed his career as a school teacher for the Tacoma Public Schools until retiring in 1993.
Upon retirement, Jerry was busier than ever with his many hobbies. He enjoyed making candles, building model airplanes and vehicles, and photography. He used his lapidary equipment and rocks he collected during his travels to make lots of beautiful jewelry, bolo ties and belt buckles. He purchased an RV and trailer for his newest business venture, a vintage magazine business. He traveled all over the West Coast for his business, to visit family and to sight see.
Jerry also enjoyed collecting things including: vintage toy cars, snowmen, hats, belt buckles, vintage reamers and phonographs to name a few. And then there were Cars! Jerry loved cars and spent much of his time restoring many vintage cars. This kept him very busy and enjoying life as he restored and drove his cars while being an active member of the many clubs he joined. Many friendships were developed, fond memories created and adventures taken during his time spent with the Model T Club, Model A Club and Retractable Club. In his later years he developed a new passion for vintage wooden Chris Craft boats. During his time with this new club, more friendships were made as he restored 3 Chris Craft boats. Jerry will be missed by many friends and family.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, his only brother Jim and his beloved wife Coleen. Blessed be the memory of Gerald Lee Campbell.
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