Asa E. Campbell

Asa Ernest Campbell March 04, 1914 - August 12, 2005 MONMOUTH - Asa E. Campbell was born March 4, 1914 to Alvah and Jessie McLarty Campbell in Starkweather, North Dakota. He grew up and worked in Saline, Missouri with his parents and sisters on the family farm before moving to Oregon in 1936. He continued to work on farms, a vocation he truly enjoyed. In 1942, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served mainly in the South Pacific aboard the U.S.S. Colorado, BB-45 attaining the rank of Electrician's Mate 3rd Class. His shipmates dubbed him "Bee" as he was always buzzing around the ship keeping the electrical systems in order. While assigned to the U.S.S. Colorado, he served in many campaigns including liberation of the Philippines. Asa received an honorable discharge in 1945 and returned to Oregon. December 29, 1948 he married his sweetheart, Margaret Leum, in Cottage Grove. While living in Springfield, they had a daughter, Margaret Ann. The family moved to Monmouth shortly thereafter where their son. David, was born. While raising his family in Monmouth, Asa worked for the United States Postal Service originally as a city carrier and then accepting the position of carrier for Rural Route #1. While on his route, Asa made many friends; his customers could always count on him to follow the Post Office's motto of getting the mail through no matter what. He served for several years as an officer in the Rural Letter Carriers Association. In all, he worked for the Postal Service for more than 30 years retiring in 1978 to pursue his hobbies. Asa had a passion for gems and minerals, making cabochons, belt buckles and jewelry out of the many varieties of rocks that he collected. He was a member and officer of the Polk County Rockhound Society. He was also quite an avid fisherman. Along with his many fishing buddies and family, he enjoyed the times they spent together, whether at the "Senior Citizen hole" on the Willamette River or at the many lakes and reservoirs in Oregon. Asa was a life member and past Commander of the American Legion Post #33 in Monmouth. He volunteered for many years on almost every holiday to be out at dawn putting up the American flags on the streets of Monmouth. Asa was also a life member of Lyon Lodge #29 in Independence and Adah Chapter #34 of the Eastern Star. He continued his farming, though on a much smaller scale, at his home in Monmouth by growing a large vegetable garden every year. Many a passerby would stop and admire his garden. He never forgot his shipmates as he belonged to the U.S.S. Colorado Alumni Association and attended almost all of their reunions held throughout the United States. Asa is survived by his beloved wife, Margaret; daughter, Margaret Ann, her husband, Terry, and their sons, Michael and Christopher; son., David and his wife, Traia, and their son,. Alec and daughter, Kaela; sisters Margaret Butler of Salem and Beth Mills of Albany; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. An older sister, Eletha Nichols of Princeton, Missouri preceded him in death. Funeral Service will be 10:00 AM Wednesday August 17th at Farnstrom Mortuary, Independence. Private Burial will be at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. Funeral Arrangements Entrusted to Farnstrom Mortuary, Independence.