Fred Campbell, 64, of Rudyard, passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2014.
Fred was born on March 19, 1949 in Miles City, Montana to Fred and Bessie (Willis) Campbell. He was raised in an agricultural community outside of Miles City, called Kinsey. He attended college in Riverton, WY. Fred married Lori Schott in Miles City in February 1973, and they later divorced. They raised their family on a farm in Kinsey while he worked at Fort Keogh in Miles City.
In Miles City and Kinsey, Fred coached many activities from youth baseball and basketball to women’s softball. The family moved to Dickinson, ND in 1991. He continued his education at Dickinson State University. While there he helped start up youth baseball, football, and girls’ softball programs. He moved to Rudyard, MT in 2010 to be close to family and resided there until his passing.
Fred loved playing cards and being around his grandchildren and family. He also enjoyed all sorts of animals and being around them. His greatest passion was impacting young people through athletics. He was a staunch LA Dodgers’ fan. He never found an argument he couldn’t win.
Fred is survived by his children, Brian (Elizabeth) Campbell of Rudyard, Andy (Leah) Campbell of Dickinson, ND, Jill (Dan) Feser, and Freddie Campbell both of Bismarck, ND; brother Jack Campbell of Helena; sisters Sharon Clelland of Miles City, Frankie Christiansen of Great Falls, Kathy Randall of Cheyenne, WY, Glenda Jackson of Miles City and Tammy Foley of Butte; grandchildren Abbie, Alexis, Ryan, Reese, Carter, Joshua, Kinzie, Trey, Brady, and one on the way; along with many beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Bessie Campbell; brother Bob Campbell; sister Nancy Campbell; and granddaughter, Peyton.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, March 24, 2014 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will be held at the Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Butch and Marilynn Arnoldt says
So sorry to hear about Fred passing. He was a good friend and neighbor. We had alot of fun with him and his family. Praying for all of you.
Virginia & Duane Strohmayer says
To The Family of Fred
So sorry to hear of Freds passing.
Virginia Meidinger Strohmayer & Duane
mike & myrna higgins says
Freddy, your Kinsey class-mates loved you. We will miss knowing you are somewhere close by. I was in the first grade and you were in the second grade when you convinced me I should be a Dodgers fan 🙂 Even then you were organizing our baseball games at recess. God bless all of your family. So thankful you were a part of my Kinsey childhood. One of the Mulkey girls…..
Tracey Viall says
Freddie coached my basketball team and my softball team, too. He was the one who nick-named me JB (for Johnny Bench). He was very patient with us and was always kind and ready to laugh. And boy did he like to argue! I did too, so we got along great. I am so sorry to hear of his death.
Kathy Brothers says
I,m so sorry to hear about Fred’s passing. He was so good to Travis and taught him so much. He well be missed by all. My prayers are with you
Kimberly Meidinger Wilson says
Fred coached me through grade school and cheered us on into high school, I have fond memories of Coach Fred. He always said I wasnt a true blonde, stop acting like one and make the damn shot! I enjoyed babysitting the kids and hearing his stories of “when I was a kid…there were no handouts you have to work hard! I will miss you Fred thank you for helping mold me to be the best athlete I could be, see you on the other side. God Bless to all the family
Lee & Marcia Rudolph says
So sorry to hear of Fred’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Fred’s family.
Brian Walker says
I played baseball and basketball under Freddy at Kinsey/Miles City. He knew how to get the best out of his players. His competitive nature apparently rubbed off on me when it comes to sports with my two sons. Thanks, Freddy, for having the confidence in me to guard the other team’s best player in the title game of the Sacred Heart tourney our eighth-grade year. With me being a Yankee fan and Freddy a Dodger fan, we had some great sports debates, but I never won any of them. I enjoyed being “neighbors” with the family at Kinsey and being outdoors a lot with Brian and Andy. Freddy, you’ll be missed, but well-remembered.
Rita Mulkey George says
I have so many memories of Freddie , He was a large part of my childhood. So sorry he’s gone. We will meet up again on the other side.
doug hughes says
To Allison and family. Sorry for everyones lose. I am sure he is with all the other angles smiling down on everyone.
Gary and Judy Carter says
To the family of Freddy, So sorry to hear of Freddie passing. Freddie. The best friend you can have, we had a lot of good and fun times together, He was one of my bestman at are weding, so rest in piss till we meet again my friend. Gary.
Carin Ronning Larsen says
To the family of Freddy, Dear ones, So sorry to hear of Freddy’s passing. As a classmate, he was a kind and fun person so I know his life was lived fully. May God be with the family in the days ahead as the Lord comforts and gives you His Peace. Carin
Wayne and Carola Moline says
Sharon, and family sorry to hear of your brother’s passing, our prayers are with you all, especially for God to strengthen you and help you through these tough days ahead. Jesus said that all those in the memorial tombs willcome out. It is a true hope that death can be undone. In the mean time may good memories sustain you all. Wayne and Carola Moline.
Lee Finberg says
Sharon & Jack, so sorry to hear of Freddy’s passing. You are in my prayers.
Brady and Jodi Stone says
Fred, you old curmudgeon. Who do we argue with now? When I started playing basketball in fifth grade I was a shy kid who would not speak if he had a mouth full. By eighth grade Fred could not shut me up. Had Fred not have pushed me into sports I do not know what would have become of me. He gave young people confidence. He knew when you needed a hug or a kick on the backside. He had an amazing tolerance for all kinds of people. You will be missed.
Linda & Richard Meidinger says
So sorry to hear of your loss. There was just no one in Kinsey that loved basketball and kids more than Fred did. He did such a wonderful job with all of the younger kids.
He is greatly remembered by all of the parents and Kinsey school kids.
Thinking of you all and knowing your wonderful memories will help you through this tough time. Linda and Richard
Jen Moore (Marum) says
So sorry to hear of your Dad. Your entire family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Denelle Hibl says
Please accept out most heart felt sympathies for your loss.
Fred was the BEST coach! He coached our two sons, I was his team mom for about 8 years. this included regular season and travel team.
Oh, the laughs we shared, the memories we made, the places we traveled. Fred in his brown van, I in my red van. Both packed with baseball equipment, coolers, horns, cowbells and baseball players. We stopped in the middle of no where to do Chinese Fire Drills. We had water fights in the hotels, blew party horns and rang cowbells!
Everyone knew Fred’s windows were always down, the doors were unlocked, the keys were never removed.
Fred was always a good sport when he was the butt of the players jokes.
A player wrote a note to Fred, used gum to stick the note to the stirring wheel. The note fell on the seat, Fred sat on the note, gum side up. Fred walked around the diamond for hours with the note stuck to his behind!
Fred was not only a coach, but a friend! We had a great deal of respect for Fred. He will NEVER be forgotten.
May your heart and soul find peace and comfort.
Denelle, Leonard, Garrett and Austin HIbl
Sheila White says
My prayers go out to Fred’s family with his passing. I along with any others that have met Fred will always have “Fred stories”. He will never be forgotten. I met Fred at Mustang, worked with him on the board for many years and he coached my son with my husband as his assistant.
I will always remember all the good times I’ve had spending time with him. God rest his soul.
Sheila White