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- Chico Enterprise-Record, California, Saturday, 24 June 2017
Loraine Campbell (Bass)
1920 ? 2017
Chico Enterprise-Record (Chico, CA) - Saturday, June 24, 2017
LORAINE (BASS) CAMPBELL, 96 YEARS Loraine was born at home, in Chico, June 8, 1920. On her mother's side, Loraine is the great-granddaughter of John James and Arabelle C. Barham, one of the pioneer families who helped to settle Chico. They built the first home south of Big Chico Creek which stood for many years next to the Senator Theater. The land was purchased for $1 from General John Bidwell for whom John Barham worked. The lumber to build the home was a gift from General Bidwell. Growing up, Loraine was surrounded by her loving family. The entire block facing E. 9th St. between Olive and Pine was comprised of 4 homes occupied by Aunt "Belle" and Uncle Bert Lafever (the Undersheriff of Butte County); Aunt Lois, son Burt, and Uncle Bill T. Heberlie (who owned Bair's Drug Store); Loraine, her mother and father Alice and Byron Bass (who owned Broadway Market, later Byron's Market); grandparents Jessie M. and Lorenzo Isaac "Buck" Barham (who owned the largest dreying business in this part of the country). The end of the block is where Grampa Buck's barn stood which housed the 9 large draft horses used for his business. On occasion, Loraine could be seen perched atop "Daisy" or riding on Grampa's drey. In 1936 Loraine graduated from Chico High School. She went on to attend Chico State where she was president of the Theta Sigma Upsilon sorority, a Little Nelle candidate and active in campus life. After her graduation in 1940 she taught elementary school in Oroville for 5 years. Following Pearl Harbor, everything in and around Chico changed. Loraine, along with other townspeople participated in the newly established "air observation" program. After reporting to a designated spot, you were, for several hours, to continuously scan the skies for enemy aircraft. The Army Air Corps took over Chico Airfield for the training of pilots. Al Campbell, from Seattle, WA, was stationed at Chico Army Airfield. Loraine met her future husband when Al and a buddy came into her family's market. They became engaged 3 months later and were married November 1944 at the First Presbyterian Church on campus. After Al was discharged, they moved to San Jose where Al attended San Jose State. To supplement the $50 per month from the government, Loraine taught school and Al took any job he could find; digging ditches, housecleaning, yard work. Al graduated in 1944 and they headed to Riverside, CA. Al had accepted a job with FMC Corp. Over the next 5 years a son, Curt and 2 daughters, Stacey and Leslie were born. Loraine took over running a busy household while Al, through the years, continued to climb the corporate ladder. Al held several positions with FMC. They lived in San Jose, CA, spent 10 years in Deerfield IL, and finally after 34 years with FMC retired to Saratoga, CA where they had built a home in 1964. The couple traveled all over the world for both business and pleasure. Loraine participated in water aerobics at the YMCA and continued this class well into her 80's. Al maintained their small orchard. She and Al played golf with another couple every Friday. She loved her weekly Big Mac and Coke at Mickey D's. For the family she wrote her memoirs. Tales of elephants marching up Main Street, Chico when the circus came to town. Grampa Buck helping her plant and water small empty sucker sticks in the garden which by the next morning had bloomed into glorious suckers. Making Nucoa margarine with Gramma Jessie. She, her Mom and Aunt Lois placing a Decoration Day floral arrangement in a Folgers can every year on the grave of the Civil War soldier who they had decided to claim as their own. Although Loraine experienced travel all over this world of ours, anyone who has ever lived in Chico knows, ties run deep. Loraine's undying love for Chico endured. Her wish to return home increased with each passing year. Finally, that little red-headed girl, Loraine, has come home. She and Al will be buried together in one of the family plots in Chico Cemetery. It just happens to overlook Mickey D's. Loraine was a loving mother to son, Curt Campbell (Patti) San Jose, CA. Daughters: Stacey Campbell (Ken Rilling) Cupertino, CA; and Leslie Williams (Mark) San Jose, CA. Gram or Gramma Rane to Marco Campbell (Dana) Clarkston, MI; Dana Clausen (Nick) Chico, CA and Kristin Fawns (Ryan Hardy) Englewood, CO. Rainey to Nick and Keira Clausen; Cole, Slate and Haley Campbell and McKenna Hardy. "Just think that I'm the lucky one who will lead her down the aisle. Each night I pray that nobody steals her heart away. Just can't wait until that happy day, when I marry Sweet Loraine..."
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Bassett Family Association Database
1920 - 2017 (97 years)