Everrett Eugene and Sherlyn Kay VanCampen began their walk together as husband and wife on June 29, 1963. That walk ended for them on May 12, 2007 when they were involved in a motor vehicle accident. Gene was born to Robert Lewis and Emma Pauline VanCampen in Lamar, CO on August 11, 1944. Sherry was born to Thomas Gilbert and Etta Fay Stutts in Dodge City, KS on May 21, 1945. Gene's first home was Two Buttes, CO where he attended second grade before his father moved the family to Satanta, KS where he was employed by the carbon black plant. Sherry's family lived in Satanta from her birth. Gene and Sherry attended school together from grade school through high school. Both were members of the school band. Sherry played clarinet and was a twirler in the marching band. She was also a cheerleader in the pep squad. Gene played the tuba and was the quarterback for the football team. He also starred on the track team that went to the Kansas State Finals. They were "sweethearts" in high school but Gene graduated a year before Sherry and joined the Navy. He attended basic training in San Diego and afterwards was assigned to the U.S. Naval Hospital in Memphis, TN as a medical corpsman. Gene mailed Sherry an engagement ring from Memphis and, despite her father's urgings to send it back, she accepted Gene's proposal and they were married in the Methodist Church of Satanta, KS. After Gene's discharge from the Navy, they moved to New Iberia, LA where they lived with Gene's parents while he worked there in the hospital and attended the University of Southern Louisiana in Lafayette. He transferred to Nicholls State University where he began work on his Bachelor's Degree in physical education. Sherry made this possible by working as a dental assistant and providing a good portion of their support. Gene apprenticed for a year as an athletic trainer at Louisiana State University and the following year became Nicholls State University's first full time athletic trainer. Gene and Sherry's first daughter, Heidi Lynn, was born November 4, 1972. Second daughter, Amy Leigh, was born on March 1, 1974. In 1975 Gene changed jobs and went to work for Cardinal Wireline Service working on off-shore oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. In 1977 the family moved back to Kansas and again established their home in Satanta where Gene worked for Ashland Oil Co. as a pumper. When fellow Ashland employee, Don Peoples, decided to move back to Vici and start his own oilfield consulting company he invited Gene to join him in the business. With Sherry's encouragement VanCampen/Peoples Oilfield Consulting Firm was born. This was soon followed by Bulldog Construction, an oilfield roustabout company. Both companies were successful throughout the boom. Sherry became a secretary, bookkeeper, girl Friday, and general whip cracker. At the end of the boom Gene sold his interest in the companies to Don and went back to college at Southwestern State University to earn his Master's degree in Education. Sherry pitched in once again and took a position as a receptionist at the local doctor's office. Upon graduating Gene was hired at Vici Public School as the counselor but was soon placed in the high school principal's job. He remained in that position for a number of years before returning to the position of counselor. Sherry, by this time used to working outside the home, went to work for McNeil Construction Company and both of the local banks. She has been a teller at Bank of Vici for the past 13 years. Despite their busy schedules, both Gene and Sherry have always given generously of their time and effort to the work of the Vici United Methodist Church and the activities of the community. They have been two of the most "giving" people that our community has known. Gene's grin and Sherry's bubbling personality and her determination to make the world a happier place will never be dismissed from the memories of those that have known them. Gene and Sherry were notably considerate and loving of son-in-law, Bill and especially of granddaughter Whitnee. Gene and Sherry were at their best when they had a new "Whit story" to tell. Grandpa Gene was well known for his pride and feigned modesty when he'd act serious and say of Whitnee – "she's a little above average!" Gene and Sherry are survived by their immediate family – Bill, Heidi, and Whitnee Raines of Guymon and Amy VanCampen of Woodward. Survivors in Sherry's family include her sister, Leora Goodwin; sister and brother-in-law, Glenda and Don Richardson; sister-in-law, Shirley Stutts; brother-in-law, Jerry Zimmerman; and an aunt, Ruby Green. Survivors of Gene's family include his brother and sister-in-law, Darrell and Judy VanCampen; sister-in-law, Mary VanCampen; an aunt, Maxine Craft; and a nephew, Brett VanCampen. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews, other relatives, many friends, and a town that was very beloved by Gene and Sherry.