City Hook and Ladder Fire Co. “Dad’s Boys” softball team. Members are, from left, front, Darell Campbell, Jim Felmlee and Jeff Pursel; middle, John Ughetto, Tink Sprout, Steve Soccio, Mike Burkholder, Skip Rhodes, Bob Lynch, Rick Gavven and Jim Bumgardner; back, Gary Moore, Adam Snyder, Ron Moyer, Jeff Reed, Steve Rush, Rusty Pursel, Butch Johnson, Mike Heider, Ed Stewart and Rick Corson. Not pictured, Joe Heider, Ed Heider and Pat Burkholder. (Submitted photo)

Dad’s Boys

Darell Campbell was like a father to us. That’s why we called the softball team “Dad’s Boys.”

We were all firemen at the City Hook and Ladder Fire Co., in Lewistown. Darell was a fire truck driver.

We were all like brothers and still are today. We hung together. We did good deeds for people in Lewistown.

We played softball together as members of Dad’s Boys. Once a year, we played a 24-hour softball game to benefit the March of Dimes. We played non-stop for 24 hours against several teams.

Darell was a bartender at the City and our softball coach along with Jim Felmlee and Jeff Pursel.

Darell kept us in line no matter where we were. I think it’s safe to say that if it was not for Darell, some of us might have ended up in jail.

Darell passed away just before Christmas 2024 while away on vacation. He will be sadly missed. Thanks, Dad. We all owe you, all your boys.

Submitted by Steve Rush