A 29-year-old Sweet Home man was killed in a logging accident Friday morning, Feb. 17, in western Lane County.
Lane County Sheriff’s Office responded to Weyerhaeuser property west of Poodle Creek Road, west of Eugene, at about 11:30 a.m. Friday, said Deputy Marvin Combs. The victim, Colt Campbell, 29, of Sweet Home, was deceased at the scene as the result of a tree falling accident.
“Colt was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, friend and role model,” said his sister-in-law Sondra Kyriss. “Though he was only with us for a short time, his impact was huge.”
A memorial service is planned 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, at the Sweet Home High School Auditorium.
Campbell was the son of Dana Campbell and Teresa Short and the eldest of five brothers.
He lived in Sweet Home starting in his freshman year of high school. He wrestled in high school, and he was an Oregon BMX cycling champion.
Campbell graduated in 2005 and moved to Lebanon around 2009. He married his wife, Jessica, in 2010; and they moved to Sweet Home in November 2016 when they bought their first home together. They have one son, Waylon, 5.
Campbell was a volunteer coach with the Sweet Home Mat Club, and his son is a member of the Sweet Home wrestling family.
He enjoyed hunting, archery, fishing, snowboarding, riding his Harley, motor cross, skateboarding, BMX, shed hunting, four-wheeling and late-model racing.
Campbell had been involved in the family business, Campbell Contract Cutting since he was a child.
He worked full time as a timber faller the past three years, said his sister-in-law, Sondra Kyriss. “He loved what he did and took a lot of pride in his job and the family business.”
Prior to working for the family business, Campbell worked at Entek Manufacturing.
“Colt was always there to help other people and enjoyed to take others hunting,” Kyriss said. “He was very comical and entertaining. He liked to be the center of attention and would sing and make people laugh at his own expense.
“He always knew how to lighten the moment. Was good at telling stories. Colt would do crazy funny things, such as hang out of window of a pickup truck to catch an Emu. Colt had the ability to take any song on the radio that was playing and change the lyrics to accommodate that moment to make people laugh or lighten the moment or mood.”
Among comments from friends on Facebook were: “He always had the biggest smile on his face everyday.”
“I looked up to you as a brother,” another said. “In my heart you’ll always be my brother. I am going to miss our early-morning texts and calls while we were tired and headed to work at 4:30 in the morning. I’m gong to miss that first sentence.
“You always made me laugh. Didn’t matter what you said. It was the way you said it. So full of life and always had the most positive way of thinking. I’m just happy we got to go out and do some shed hunting a couple weeks ago, and we got to see your first cougar out in the wild.”
Campbell’s community has stepped up to raise funds to help Campbell’s immediate family with any financial challenges that may arise.
From 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Sunshine Espresso, 1209 Main St., will donate all proceeds to the family.
As of Monday evening, a Go Fund Me account, “In Memory of Colt Campbell,” had raised nearly $15,000.
“Anyone who knew Colt, knew how much he loved his family and his friends,” the page said. “He was always there for those he loved in all the best ways. He had a special way of making everyone smile and laugh. It was his gift, and it’s what most of us will remember about him.
“It is our hope that they will have every need met, so the primary focus can be each other during this difficult time.”
To donate to Campbell’s family, visit http://www.gofundme.com/3egt6rc on the web or drop by Sunshine Espresso Monday and buy a drink.