Memorial services for George Arthur Campbell will be at 2 pm Friday, January 20, 2017, at First United Methodist Church Downtown, with the Revs. Tom Brady and Scott Hanks officiating. A visitation will follow the service in Brady Hall.
George A. Campbell, 83, was called home on 8 January, 2017 surrounded by his family. He had been ill for many months and from December, was under Hospice care. George was born to Helen (Xanders) and George Campbell on 2 March, 1933 in Springfield, Ohio. He was an only child. He attended schools in Springfield, then attended college at Baldwin Wallace in Berea, Ohio, before transferring to Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. Later he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1953 and completed his basic military training at Samson AFB, Geneva, New York. George met and married his life time sweetheart, Elizabeth Jane Phillippi on 12 February, 1955.
George attended radio and code school at Keesler AFB, Biloxi, Mississippi. He also went to Scott AFB for Crypto school in Belleville, Illinois. He was stationed at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas; Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota; Homestead AFB, Miami, Florida; and Wright Patterson AFB, Dayton-Fairborn, Ohio.
Overseas isolated tours included Kimpo Air Station and Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Accompanied tours included Tokyo, Japan; Adana and Ankara, Turkey; Frankfurt and Hamburg, Germany; Karachi, Pakistan; and The Hague, Netherlands. In 1979 George retired from the Air
Force after a distinguished military career, serving over 26 years. He returned to college at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri while working as the Veterans Affairs Officer. He graduated in 1981 with a Bachelors in Religious Studies before returning to government work with the Department of State.
George became a born again Christian in 1963 in Tokyo, Japan. During the rest of his military career he did much preaching as a lay preacher serving where and when he was called. He was ordained to preach at Cavalry Baptist Church, Emerado, North Dakota in August, 1980. It was not uncommon in the smaller churches for him to lead the singing, take up the offering, teach the Sunday School lesson, preach and pray.
He is survived by his wife, Dr. Elizabeth J. Campbell, Lawrence, KS; and nine children; Beth J. Campbell, Myrtle Beach, SC; Peggy A. Campbell-Kemp (Hal), Rogersville, MO; Rebecca R. Crispyn (Mike), Palm Harbor, FL; Rachel L. Veit-O’Neil (Eric), Navarre, FL; Stephen A. Campbell (Jill), Colorado Springs, CO; Deborah G. Sherrer (Albert), Bolivar, MO, Philip P. Campbell (Carrie), Clearwater, FL; Timothy J. Campbell and Peter J. Campbell; Lawrence, KS. While stationed in Ankara, Turkey the family met a young Turk, Asim Ceylan. He was adopted into the family and became an American citizen, today living in Danbury, Connecticut. He and his wife Vicky have two sons, Ali Jon and Ryan.
Surviving grandchildren include Benjamin and Leah Dye; Laura and Erin Kemp; Keith and Chelsea Crispyn; Stefanie and Brooke Veit; Matison O’Neil, Erica and Danae O’Neil; Haley and Hannah Campbell; AJ and Abbey Sherrer; Melissa and Nichole Sherrer; Tyller, Tanner, Taryn and Tevin Campbell; Julian Campbell; Arayah and Kiara Wagner; and one great grandchild, Carder John Veit.
In 1995 George retired from his State Department position as a Diplomatic Communicator, relocating to Lawrence, Kansas. He worked for the Kansas Turnpike for five years. George enjoyed singing, golfing, and was an avid fan of Jayhawk basketball.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association, 200 Maine Street Suite C, Lawrence, KS 66044.
