Charles Gaddis Campbell

Sadly, Charlie died unexpectedly on September 7th after a lengthy, challenging illness, his cause of death however was cardiac arrest, a shock to us all. He had been in Carmel for over a month and we are all grateful for the laughs we had prior to his passing.

He was born on August 9,1954 in Noblesville to Edward and Frances Jane Campbell (née Gaddis). Chas was proud to have been raised in Home Place. He attended Carmel schools and following a brief sojourn to Boulder, CO (where he went by the name ‘Graham Keller’) he returned home and graduated with the Class of 1972.

Charlie and the extremely patient Bonnie Boyer were married in 1978 and lived in Westfield until 2016 when they made the move to Walhalla, SC in search of a warmer winter.

Daughter Dale, named after our beloved grandmother Dale Gaddis, was born in 1982 and provided her parents much joy and a bit of frustration. She is a force, not unlike her great grandmother.

Charlie was a lonesome Hamilton County Democrat but was more than happy to share his liberal views with one and all. He was particularly proud of stirring the turd with his many OP/ED contributions to the local fish wrap in The Journal in Oconee County, South Carolina. 

He was a fierce competitor and a very poor loser, be it golf, Yahtzee, volleyball, Scrabble, cards, croquet…

He couldn’t whistle.

His memory was indeed impressive. Mom Jane said that she was told he had the highest IQ in his kindergarten class.

He was a Costco member in poor standing.

He loved pancakes and once ordered a “short stack” and was served one pancake. At 12 years old, Chas won a pancake eating contest in Canada that included two time IHSAA Heavyweight wrestling champ Dick Pritchard.

Charlie was very affectionate and in the Campbell way, kissed everyone on the lips.

He loved reading, primarily non fiction.

Charlie LOVED music (and I mean REALLY LOVED MUSIC), beer, pot, cheap cigarettes, golf as participant and spectator, all of his pets, the Hoosiers, Gunsmoke, true crime tales, parties, time spent with friends and family at the cabin on Tippecanoe River in Winamac, Keeler’s lodge in Manitowish Waters, WI, Kraft’s Onabeach cottage in Manasota Key, FL, Bonnie’s biscuits & gravy…

Some things he DISLIKED were authority, Republicans, slow drivers, curry, South Carolina, cilantro, other people’s music (mainly mine)…

Our boy Charlie was loved and is terribly missed by wife Bonnie, daughter Dale, siblings Ned, Sis & Kroger and Sarah as well as sister-in-law Judy & her husband David.

Precious cousins, countless friends and a host of life long ADORED close pals (you know who you are) are also left to grieve his sudden absence from their lives.

He was the Charliest.

The CHARLIE PARTY has been set for November 11th, time and location to be determined. If you are interested in attending please leave your contact info in the guestbook below, or email Dale at charlieparty2023@gmail.com- if there is a song that reminds you of him, please include that as well.

Memorial contributions would be welcomed by:
John Prine’s Hello in There Foundation (thehellointherefoundation.org)
Humane Society (hamiltonhumane.com)

Condolences:  www.randallroberts.com