Larry Jefferson Campbell

Larry Jefferson Campbell aka: Dad, Poppy, Scooter Trash

Our diamond in the rough entered Heaven on Monday June 2, 2025 @11:23 a.m. Larry was diagnosed on November 23, 2022 the same day his FIL passed on November 23, 2003.

Daisy his service dog turned hospice dog was by his side in bed with him in our living room right where he wanted to be.

Survived by Sue (Brower) Campbell (meeting in 1980 over a pair of Harley sunglasses) whom he married on February 29, 1984 joking he’d only have to buy a gift every 4 years. Celebrating 10 years of marriage over 4 decades together. The 15 year age difference brought him a smile @ preschool when he picked up the girls. Teacher says “Your grandpa” is here the girls said that’s our Dad. At Dr’s you can bring your daughter in, that’s my wife. Starting a family at 40 was a new learning curve to a tattooed, mohawk, French braid, earring, Harley riding, beer drinking smoker that I dragged to church. My father said I don’t know what you see in this guy. When he helped my Dad into his hospice bed, that’s what I saw.

Born in Decatur on Monday December 18, 1944 to Mary (Keenan) and Frank Handlin Campbell his dream to run the gravel pit with his Dad was not to be. Drafted to Vietnam on March 10, 1964 serving on USS Saratoga, while his Dad lost his life in a car accident. Heading home on a C130 transport missing all the services by the time he arrived, was an event he never got over. Honorably discharged from the Navy on March 1, 1968 after gunfire and a stabbing nearly ended his life on December 15, 1966. With scars both external and internal he’s the strongest man I’ve ever known. He drove semi owner/operator for 2 years boasting he’d been to every state except AK and HA and 13 provinces of Canada. Eventually settling in Lockport working at Union Oil, Uno-ven, Citgo for 36 years retired for 18. Readily hired by “Honey do” home repair until he was rightfully fired.

Larry’s respect for our flag, our 2nd Amendment, his love of hunting, trapping, fishing and camping spilled over onto his girls. He taught them they could enjoy these things also.

He was and accomplished Scuba diver introducing his daughter to the sea becoming a certified diver @ 12. He and Rachel’s maiden dive videoed underwater in Mexico to the “For your eyes only” theme song. His love of guns and hunting he shared with joy to his oldest daughter Lara bagging her 1st deer proudly mounted on our wall. He taught both girls how to load, reload and skin rabbits. Saying he was always cheated on his B-day a week before Christmas his best present was when the girls and I took him to Rinks Sporting Goods for a rifle. They proudly recreated the “Charlies Angels” pose. One of many great photographs.

He will be lovingly missed by his oldest daughter Lara her boyfriend Nakoa, granddaughter Naomi Grace 14 whom he shared many nightly talks on their deck, their favorite porch pirate. Easy for him as neighbors he didn’t have to stumble far. He faithfully took Naomi to her bus stop 3x week for at least a decade down our 1 mile driveway. “Poppy did it” her 1st sentence. The swear jar will certainly fund his grandchildren’s education. His last official outing was her graduation sitting in a wheelchair for 2 hours never complaining.

Lovingly missed by his youngest daughter J. Rachel Campbell (fiancé Brandon), grandson Mavrick 12, the boy he never had and granddaughter Cheyenne 11 he had glued to his hip. She could hold her own head to head with Poppy. One look spelled partners in crime. Larry’s last call of duty as dad was giving Brandon his blessing to marry our Rachel.

Preceded in death by his parents, Mary (Keenan) and Frank Handlin Campbell; Tom Olson his favorite cousin, FIL Andy Brower.

Special nod to Tom Shoop fishing with Larry in our stocked pond each summer and deer hunting each season always bringing a great meal Gina cooked up for the guys. Also, Gary Peterson (Carol M.D.) his BFF for 40 years. I have a project in Michigan, translation somebody got a new gun that needed sighting in. Gary willingly driving 6 hours each way to get Larry, a rare friendship.

Everyone had their favorite Larry Story and there were several. A life sometimes not well lived but lived his way none the less. He was a straight up, shoot from the hip kind of guy. We knew “the look” meant business. Larry had a soft side rarely seen and few ever found it. But like a double rainbow you were in awe of it. He is and was a Man among men. So, our tough a nail “John Wayne” who could fix anything except himself is now perfect. There was nothing he couldn’t do and now he can do anything. Finally he gets to meet the One, Our GOD who created it all. Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now I’m found was blind but now I see. Acts 16:31 Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved you and your family. John 3:16 For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not die but have eternal life.

Cleaning out his wallet something I was never allowed to touch in the zipped spot I found a rusty cross with a broke chain. I never knew it was there. In the last months of his life he endured our once a week car ride. He had something to look at besides our living room. He grew a liking to Joel Osteen on Sirius XM like he had a choice listening to many sermons. He would ask me to leave the car running so he could hear the rest. He was delivered from alcohol month earlier but still held a cigarette. I told him your drinking all my water besides Anheuser Busch stock dropped, there on the phone for you. I could still get a smirk. He enjoyed shorts of “Rufus the bull” that guy reminded him of himself.

On May 28th a blue peacock walked thru our yard. A tropical bird that cannot fly on an isolated 15 acre farm surrounded by timber for miles. I got Larry out of bed to see it, I believe it was a calling card.

Special thanks to Hines VA the best medical care he ever had. Our local clinic in LaSalle Peru. NP Beth, Donna LPN, Laura SW, Brittany Dietician. Entera Hospice Rosemont, Patti RN and Toni nurse.

Larry was a larger than life personality and someone not easily forgotten.

Larry “last salute” will be July 8, 2025, Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL at 11:00 A.M. Memorial service, flag, honor guard presentation.

His cremains will be scattered at Okaw Valley Muzzleloaders Gun Club where he was a lifelong member in Oconee, Illinois