This page is dedicated to the memory of
Paul Campbell
Below you will find photos and comments by friends and family.
This site is updated regularly. 
We welcome your photos and stories. Email address at end.





Click below to see the video Produced by Paul Atkinson


Click below to see the video by Erik and Megan Andersen

(Link to video)
 
Check out the webpage below for more photos, stories and tributes


Paul William Campbell
October 25, 1944 - June 24, 2019
A military internment service for Paul took place at the
Riverside National Cemetery on Monday, July 22, 2019.
Here is the Marine Honor Guard which provided a 21 gun salute for Paul.



Marine Honor Guard members fold Paul's flag






Jeff shares some memories


Eric pauses a moment during his speech

Paul's oldest son Michael and youngest sister Susan speak together




Paul's brother Tom wraps up the service


 

That's Paul the second row down and the second from the left. I'm two pictures below him. Looking back to the days when I would have first met Paul, probably around 1954, I had just moved back to Van Nuys, after a short jaunt in Oregon. Paul, along with so many others, welcomed me into the fold where I first learned how to properly ride Elevators and Escalators at Butler Brother's. In class Paul would laugh at my inability to spell anything right.  He used to yell across the class room during a spelling Bee and tell me to sit down even before I was given my word to either spell or butcher it. He did this on several occasions and one time Sister Robert Ellen told him to sit down. Paul was truly one of the good ones and never had a bad word to say about anyone.

Semper Fi Marine

Terry Coultas

The starting team:
Judy, Tom, Paul, Mary Beth, (front) Susan, and mom Kathleen


The five Campbell kids.


A proud Kathleen Campbell and her oldest son

I think that when we reflect on Paul’s life, he would want us all to remember the many good things that he enjoyed.  His life was filled with life-long friends, family that loved him – barnacles and all, and love that he showed lavishly to those around him, not to mention a cold beer or two and Dodger games.  I cannot think of Paul without also seeing him with his many friends, having fun, playing sports, often with a cast on an arm or leg, and always with a quick smile on his face. 

While there are many things that I remember, here are a few memories that I cherish.  When Michael was born, they discovered that one of his feet needed some correction.  As a tiny baby, he needed surgery and a cast.  Paul was wearing a leg cast at the same time – work or baseball, who can remember! – and there they were, brand-new father and brand-new son in matching leg casts! 

In our early lives, we lost both of our parents to illness and were on the verge of being divided between relatives in Kansas.  My father’s sister, Aunt Mary and her husband Leo Arndt, promised our mother that they would do everything they could to keep up together.  Well, they did.  They took five teenagers, 12 to 17 years old, into their home on Gilmore Street in Van Nuys.  Now that I am an adult with my own children, I can only begin to understand this undertaking.  Aunt Mary and Leo gave us love and a home, a place to be together.  In fact, they gave everyone a place to be together.  Many of you will remember those Sunday afternoons when she invited family, friends, friends of family, and friends of friends, to her home.  She and Leo would cook up a ton of food, but her famous hamburgers were always on the menu, along with potato salad, corn on the cob, and whatever else she could find in the kitchen.  I am not sure why Paul is so strongly associated with these afternoons but, in my mind, he is.  Maybe it’s because he was usually there.  Many times, these events were held to honor him (off to boot camp, return from boot camp, deployment to Vietnam, return to Van Nuys, Michael’s birth.)  Maybe that is why all the other Campbell kids knew he was the favorite!

As adults, the Campbell kids developed wings and took off!   Paul, Tom, Mary Beth, and I settled in different parts of California and Judy moved to Chicago.  Unfortunately, this meant that we were seldom able to all be together in the same place at the same time.  Our communications were limited to individual visits with one or two of us, weddings, phone calls, and maybe an occasional card.  Right before Thanksgiving 2016, Judy fell and broke her hip at home.  Right after the holiday, we learned that she actually had advanced undetected and untreated bone cancer.  Paul and I decided to fly back to see her in early December.  We were with her for a few days while she was still in the hospital.  Paul was a real trooper, traversing O’Hare Airport on his arthritic feet, making multiple Uber trips to and from the hospital, and spending hours there in uncomfortable chairs.  Paul never complained about anything, including Chicago’s cold December weather.  It was an amazing time for the three of us together and because Judy understood how difficult it was for Paul to travel, she felt doubly blessed.  Michael, our niece Chris Kemp, our cousin Dee-Dee and I were able to visit her in the months following her release from the hospital.  She loved those visits, but I truly believe seeing Paul was the best one for her (again Paul was the favorite!) and I know she treasured the memories of his visit until the day she died in June of 2017, leaving many broken hearts.

There are many more memories, but I will share this one with you all.  I will always remember seeing Paul in the hospital before his last major surgery.  I was able to be there when he arrived at Keck Hospital by ambulance.  Due to the reality of time, distance, and commitments, I was the first one there.  I got to spend an hour or so with Paul before the doctors started doing all the things they do and before Darlene and her son Jeff arrived.  Never once did Paul question why this was happening to him or say how unfair it was for him to be sick.  Instead, he asked how I was doing and how life was treating me.  He was more concerned about my renovations at my house than he was about himself.  I knew he must have been nervous and a bit afraid, but he never let that show. 

The thing is, this is how Paul always lived his life.  Maybe a little afraid of what was coming, but never afraid to face it.  He never questioned why things happened the way they did, why his body was failing and in constant pain.  He accepted these things and kept on moving, building a life for himself, his family, and those he loved.  His commitment and love to us all is his legacy.  Rest in peace, brother, you are missed.

Susan Campbell Schafer

 

Tom, Judy, Susan, father Elmer, Mary Beth, and Paul
Nice jacket, Tom


Dos hermanos flacos


Tom, Judy, Susan, mom Kathleen, Paul,
and Mary Beth holding cousin Dee-Dee circa 1957

Kathleen holds Susan while Mary Beth Tom, Paul, and Judy
wait patiently for their Easter baskets, 1951


The first time I met Paul Campbell, we got in a fight. He was 7 and I was 6.

For the next 70 years neither of us ever figured out what the fight was about.

The Campbells lived on Gilmore St, across from Van Nuys Elementary School, and

within 2 blocks of the Meyers, the Atkinsons, and the Brewsters.

After a few year they moved to Bevis Av, also within 2 blocks of the relocated Meyers. Throughout our lives, whether on Bevis or Gilmore,

the Meyers were never far from the Campbells.

Fact: Nobody could hop the chain link fence at Van Nuys High faster than Paul.

Gene Meyer



Paul and Judy, Bevis Av


The clan: Top: Tom, Mary Beth, Paul,
Bottom: Susan, Paul Gene, Dee Dee, Judy.
Semper fi, 1964,
Gilmore St.


Left front: Dee Dee, Mary Beth, Tom, Judy, Paul,
Aunt Mary, Paul Gene, (PG), and organist Uncle Leo.
If the Campbell kids' mother Kathleen was considered a saint,
then Aunt Mary and Uncle Leo Arndt were archangels.


Paul, Tom, Mary Beth and a friend.
 Dad Elmer and Paul, circa1948.
Is Paul preparing for Walz Richfield?




Dos bandidos en pajamas.
Nice rifle.


Cruising Van Nuys in the early days


Paul, Mary Beth, Tom, circa 1948.



Taking a short break from family to baseball, Paul's passion.
He even hustled in pickup games.


Paul hones his skills at Robert Fulton Jr High in Van Nuys



The victorius South team celebrates it's victory over the North in the first infamous North South game.
Can you guess who that is in the North shirt and gorilla mask?

At the first North South Game, Paul and I exchanged team t shirts, (which Paul would wear later above in the gorilla photo).  I kept Paul's South shirt, which said, "Avengers, SFV," for years. Then in our 60’s a bunch of us presented it to Mike LaRoque, an old friend of ours from St Elisabeth Elementary School and the legendary Van Nuys gang leader of the real Avengers at a Caribou Campout. That shirt traveled.   Gene





Paul William was my older brother but to say he was only a year and a half older than me would be a disservice to him. As the oldest of five children, with only six years between the oldest and the youngest, Paul had to step up and take on the role of "man of the house". He had to sacrifice or put on hold his own dreams and aspirations to help out his mother, his brother and sisters. In his life, Paul never complained, looked back, or wallowed in self pity about the hand he had been dealt. Instead he stood up strong and proud and faced life's challenges head on. He never blinked, never turned away, never showed fear; he just kept fighting and pushing forward to be the best person he could be and took care of his siblings along the way.

Paul William worked hard his whole life, refusing to retire and take it easy for fear he wouldn't have anything to do. The last few years Paul had more than his share of medical issues that laid him low and kept him down but he never complained about the pain or the lack of mobility, he just kept pushing forward.

Paul loved and was loved by his family, his children, his grandchildren and his many longtime friends/brothers. He seemed to be most happy when he was hanging out with his lifelong friends having a beer and telling stories about growing up in the San Fernando Valley. Paul was a good athlete who loved to play baseball. I remember one summer he played third base on a select all-star pony league team with some of the Valley's best players. Paul liked to run as well. As a sophomore at Notre Dame High School he was a member of the track team and ran the 1320, and qualified for the state championship meet where he placed fourth, again no complaints.

 

My sister Susan's comment about Paul's love for and commitment to his family being his legacy couldn't be more true. I love you my brother, my buddy, my pal.
I'll miss you until the end of time
Tom Campbell






Below:
Paul and grandaughter Madison
Daughter-in-law Denise, Paul, Madison, Darlene, grandaughter Faith
holding Caitlyn, and Connor




Paul with son Michael's youngest, Caitlyn.



Paul, Darlene and Michael keep watch over the
grandkids making fun of each other,
Connor, Madison, and Caitlyn.



Paul with Caitlyn, Connor, and Madison



Paul and son Michael




Below, with granddaughter Faith
Son and Dad




Paul and Michael play lifeguards for Connor and Madison




Below
Michael, son Connor and grandfather Paul




Paul and Darlene with grandchildren



Michael, Paul and Connor



           From front left, clockwise:  son Eric in baseball cap and his family; Jeff with daughter Faith and grandbaby; Paul and Darlene; Michael and Denise with Connor and Madison (second set of twins) and Caitlyn. Faith’s baby makes this a four-generation picture!

North South Legends, Napa, 1991
Paul, next to Bob Lemma, watches as
Paul Ebert gives a blessing to the photographer. 


Last North South Game, 1985.
Great uniform, Paul. Is that umpire holding a Coors?


Below: SouthTeam Photo, Auburn, 1980
Paul watches his ball clear the fence as Kane and Jeff discuss fair or foul.





Valley Buds: Paul, Kane Healy, Paul Atkinson, Ken Furlano, Ron Reneaud




Below: Darlene, Paul, and Patty
enjoy the view at a Caribou Campout in the Malibu Mountains, 2010
Longtime Van Nuys friends Paul and Debbie McAndrews Reece at a
Caribou campout in Ventura.


 


Below: Paul, an injured Tom, and daughter Kellie after
the North South Legends softball game in Napa, 1991

Blast from the Past #1 Gene, Paul Kathy, Lynn and Jane Schwalm
Proof that the 60's actually happened
They say there is no such thing as an ex Marine?
Here's proof: Paul and Bill Kelly
Semper fi


Below: Here's more proof!
John, Jeff and Paul do what they do best, hang out at a campout.
That's Jeff's $500 tent trailor behind them.




Below: Bill, Patty, Gene, Pat, Darlene, and Paul get ready to set up their tents, La Jolla Campground, Pt Magu, 2010
Pat Leahy and Paul catch up at La Jolla campground.
Pat always wears the best hats.



Below: Blast from the Past, #2
This photo is taken in Grass Valley, around 1980.
On left, Tommy spouts wisdom to brother Michael, Paul, and Marie Brewster while Patty checks out the party. Looks like an Anhauser Busch Day
Paul, Ed Flynn, and Kathy Dorney visit as
Tom and Debbie Thompson and friend watch music.






Patty gets a shot of Bill Kelly, Sherry and Chuck Collazzi,
Paul and Darlene as they enjoy the evening camping in Malibu.



Below: Stan Thompson, Paul, Dennis Watson, Rudy Hernandez, and John McLaughlin hang around the campfire telling lies.

Jeff and Paul relax in front of Jeff's winter home/casino.



Below: Old friends Terry, Roger, Abby, Paul, and Jeanne
Caribou Campout, 2013
Paul and longtime pal Bill McMenamin




Below: Terry, John, and Paul prepare for the next campout.
Where will it be?
Susan and Paul




Michael and Paul
Paul and Darlene





So long to a veteran, husband, brother, father, grandfather,
and  lifelong friend
Requia scat en pacem, rest in peace







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