Sixty-one years ago, Larry Campbell and Sharon (Shari) Price met at the University of Oregon, marrying a year later on August 9, 1958. Larry graduated from Echo High School and is the son of now-deceased Roberta and H. Glenn Campbell, who farmed on Butter Creek for over 30 years. Shari graduated from Rancho High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. She is the daughter of now-deceased Hilda Viestenz of Bracketville, Texas, and Elwood Price of Siletz, Oregon.

Their first home was a manufactured home next to his parents’ house at Campbell Ranch near Butter Creek, a short distance from Hermiston. Their daughter, Shannon, was born the following year. After moving to a house on a nearby farm, their first son, Darren, was born. A couple years later, Larry and Shari settled in Hermiston, where they resided for 18 years.

Larry owned and operated Campbell Equipment on Highway 395. Three more sons, Devin and twins Andrew and Alex, joined the family during that time. Shannon and Darren are alumni of Hermiston High School. The Campbells’ younger sons graduated from Sprague High School in Salem, Oregon.

After leaving Hermiston, Shari and Larry lived in Salem, Bend, Portland and Tualatin. They now reside in Vancouver, Washington, near the homes of three of their children, Shannon, Darren, and Alex. Larry is employed part time at Lowe’s Home Improvement and also specializes in crafting custom woodworking projects in his shop at home. Shari enjoys retirement after many years of working as a bank clerk, real estate agent, and bookkeeper at businesses outside the home. She also helped Larry with his businesses during the times he was self-employed.

The five children they raised have grown into five families, 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, with another expected soon.

Larry and Shari’s 60th wedding anniversary celebration is being held at the home of their daughter, Shannon, and son-in-law, Bill Savela, in Vancouver, Wash.