Aaron Matthew Campbell, born Feb. 27, 1990, passed away suddenly on Oct. 11, 2009. Aaron leaves behind his father, Trent Matthew Campbell, and his sister, Angela Campbell (Ray Hopkins) and his niece and nephew, Amya and Elijah Hopkins. He was predeceased by his mother, Deana Jean Campbell, in July.
Also surviving him are his grandparents Robert and Genevieve Campbell, Wynema Sue Sloan and Gene William (Alice) Sloan.
In addition he leaves behind his aunts, Sandy Phillips (Steve Gonzales), Eileen Phillips, Krystal Campbell, Melody Sloan (Mark Britton), Tammy Sloan (Pal Rojoles) and Tonya Rodriguez (Sergio) and his uncle Doug Phillips (Diana Martin) and step uncles, Eric Langton (Danielle Garcia) and Nathan Langton (Mandi Vanoven) in addition to many numerous cousins.
Aaron was an outstanding athlete in high school and loved to play any sport. This was evident as a young child when he played for the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Activity League’s Junior Giants and the Laytonville Raiders Youth Football programs and was on traveling baseball and basketball teams. He also rode in the rodeo and BMX Racing.
Whatever sport Aaron chose to play he gave it his all and was exceptionally good at baseball, softball, basketball and football. While in high school he was on the football, track, wrestling, baseball and basketball teams, learned he had cancer and defeated it. After high school Aaron competed against other tribal teams in the Indian Softball Nationals and a variety of other traveling tournaments, making many friends along the way.
Aaron also loved to abalone dive and rock pick, surf fishing and hunting with his family and extended family members. Aaron was very proud of his Native American heritage, including Cahto, Pomo, Wylacki and Yurok. He participated in the annual Cahto Coast Walk for many years in honor of the difficult journey his ancestors had to make each year to gather their food for the winter months. He attended many California Indian Education conferences and participated in the bear dances on the Mendocino Coast.
The viewing will begin at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, at 102 Acorn Drive, Laytonville.
The services will be held at Harwood Hall in Laytonville on Friday, Oct. 16, 2009, at 1 p.m. The burial will take place at the Cahto Cemetery directly after the services.
Donations can be made to the Deana Jean Campbell Memorial Fund at the Bank of Willits in lieu of flowers.
