a larger than life man...

Today, Dave and I went to a memorial service for John Campbell. John was the current mayor of our town (Fortuna) and a member of the city council. He was the former CEO of Pacific Lumber Company (PALCO) in Scotia - one of the last remaining logging towns here in Humboldt County - and part of another era. John was a "larger-than-life" man in so many ways, and several of the eulogies today spoke to that very description of him. He was also the father of a close friend of our own son, Matt; coincidentally he is named Matt as well (thirty five years ago Matt must have been the name of choice, as we always joked that you had to be called Matt to belong to this particular group of friends), but I digress and that is a story to be told at another time...

The memorial was held at River Lodge in Fortuna, a community center of sorts, all redwood timber and glass, set alongside the Eel River - a fitting location to celebrate the life of a lumberman well known throughout our remote area and beyond. But John was oh, so much more than a lumberman. Born in Australia, he came to the United States as a young man, yet always rememained the quintessinal (is that a word?) Australian gentleman - impeccably dressed, polite and charming, with an accent that was ever present. Thirty years ago I was his sons' preschool teacher, and I have vivid memories of the boys (now men) flying around our gravel driveway on "big wheels" - handmade capes billowing out behind them. We talked about that today after the service, and how well they do remember those days. Where have thirty years gone? And how did this giant of a man lose his 14 month long battle with cancer, at only 67 years old?

Many stories were told by family members, close friends, and political icons of our community. Some were familar, but many were new to me. There was laughter, nodding of heads, and yes, even grown men's tears. And so, on sunny Fortuna morning, we listened as the bagpiper played and we said our goodbyes. Be kind to one another, friends, and receive each day as a gift.

7:45:00 PM
by Ilene Harris
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