Laingsburg memorial honors Haslett flag man

Colin Campbell was remembered in Laingsburg on Sunday as a Marine veteran, longtime Haslett resident and the man many Mid-Michigan drivers knew simply as the “flag man.” Family and friends gathered for a memorial service months after Campbell’s death on Jan. 17 at age 78, according to WILX’s June 1 report. The service centered on the daily ritual that made him locally recognizable: walking Marsh Road with an American flag and waving to passing motorists. His family and supporters described that habit as a steady public presence that lasted for decades. ### Who was Colin Campbell to people in Haslett? Colin Campbell was a Haslett resident who became a familiar figure on Marsh Road, carrying an American flag and greeting drivers during daily walks. His obituary says he was born on Nov. 24, 1947, in Lansing and died on Jan. 17, 2026, at 78. It says he was known to many as “The Flag Man” and that he spent years making himself visible in the community through those walks. (newsbreak.com) For about 30 years, Campbell walked along Marsh Road in Meridian Township, often with one of his dogs beside him, according to reporting from the Lansing State Journal summarized in search results. His son Michael Campbell said his father loved seeing people smile, and the family said the honks from passing cars became part of his routine. The obituary says Campbell kept count of those honks and tallied them into the hundreds of thousands. (dignitymemorial.com) ### What did family members say made him memorable? Michael Campbell told local media earlier this year that people remembered his father as patriotic, a Vietnam veteran and a loving father. The family’s public tributes describe him as someone who tried to brighten ordinary moments for strangers, whether through a wave, a smile or a brief exchange on the roadside. WILX’s memorial report said relatives and friends gathered specifically to share memories and celebrate his life. (stylemeter.usatoday.com) The obituary says Campbell also worked for General Motors for decades before retiring in 1999 and later served as a crossing guard. That account presents a life defined not only by military service, but by repeated roles in public view — first in uniform, then in the workplace, then on neighborhood streets and school routes. (newsbreak.com) ### What is known about his military service? Campbell enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps shortly after graduating from Eastern High School in 1967, according to his obituary. The obituary says he completed basic training at Camp Lejeune and served two tours in Vietnam. Family fundraising and obituary pages both describe that service as a lasting source of pride throughout his life. (dignitymemorial.com) The GoFundMe page created after his death says Campbell’s public flag-waving tradition took shape after the Gulf War and continued for more than 30 years. That page, organized on behalf of the family, says his routine became “a familiar and comforting sight” for thousands in the Lansing area. ### Why was the memorial held in Laingsburg? WILX reported that Campbell’s family and friends gathered in Laingsburg to mark his life, though the station’s publicly available summary gave few additional details about the venue. (dignitymemorial.com) The memorial followed earlier family statements that they were planning a broader community remembrance for the man many residents recognized from Marsh Road. (gofundme.com) News coverage after Campbell’s death indicated that his family expected details about memorial plans to be shared publicly. By June 1, that remembrance had taken place, with attendees using the service to recount his military service, neighborhood presence and the simple routine that made him widely known. ### Where can people still find information about Campbell? (newsbreak.com) Campbell’s obituary remains posted through Dignity Memorial, listing his life dates, military service, family members and work history. A GoFundMe page created in January on behalf of the family also remains online and describes his legacy as the “Flag Man.” As of June 2, those online memorial pages are the clearest public record of next steps for supporters who want to leave condolences, share memories or contribute financially to the family. (newsbreak.com) (dignitymemorial.com)