Eugene Elwood Campbell

Gene was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. We believe he had a loving family, dad, little brother, and a very loving mother that he adored. I believe his life took a wrong turn after his mother was killed by a drunk driver when he was 17. The following year his father was also killed by a drunk driver. He had an aunt and uncle who stepped up to try to help the boys to finish high school. As soon as they were both 18 the uncle said they were on their own. Gene cared for his little brother until he was 21 and then another tragedy struck Genes life. His little brother was also killed in an alcohol related accident on his 21st birthday. Gene at that point was beyond devastated and began his life of travel and homelessness. He traveled with the circus for a while and enjoyed that adventure. He spent some time in Florida, Colorado, and ended up in South Dakota. Lived in a few different places in SD but ended up a permanent fixture to the streets of Rapid City. Gene lived and worked at the Mission. Gene was always a hard worker at any task he was given. Would often be found helping others. Even though he had nothing he would share half of his nothing with you. Genes nickname on the streets was Axel Rose, from Guns and Roses…someone thought he looked like Axel and it stuck!

Gene was extremely well read and could often be found at the library reading every newspaper and sports magazine on the shelf. He could tell you about every world event and all statistics of every NFL team. Particularly the Buffalo Bills! He loved to read Mystery novels and regularly scripture and attending a variety of church groups always looking for answers. He loved music, Nirvana, Metallica, and Christian Rock.

He loved the Buffalo Bills, and was a die-hard fan, no matter their long losing streak. He was a great sports fan of all sports but was never able to play any due to his early onset of epilepsy. Life turned around for the Bills when Josh Allen from Wyoming joined the team. He finally had a winning team and would be happy to converse play by play of every game.

He loved plants and gardening and at the time of his passing had quite a few plants that he enjoyed caring for and admiring. He was obsessed with cleaning, making sure dishes were done, and floors were mopped. Insisted on doing it all himself right up to the last moments of his life.

On Genes good days he was loving, considerate, insightful, and observant gentle man, and had a funny truthful sense of humor, some did not like. He was never a fighter and often walked away from any type of conflict. He missed his mom and longed for the day to be reunited with her.

Here’s to you and your mom doing the Buffalo Bill shuffle together. You will be missed by many Gene.