Gary John Campbell's Obituary
Gary John Campbell
August 29th, 1942-January 11th, 2023
Gary Campbell of Blanchard, MI passed peacefully in his home in the early hours of Wednesday, January 11th at the age of 80. He was surrounded by his wife of nearly sixty years, and his four children.
Born on August 29th, 1942, the oldest of eleven children, Gary knew from a young age the importance and joy of family life. Growing up, Gary took seriously his role in caring for his younger brothers and sisters, and helping his parents in tending to the family farm. At the age of seventeen, Gary left high school to help support his family, but his commitment to education and learning inspired him to get his degree by mail a decade later.
Gary met and fell in love with Nancy Main in 1962, after meeting in religious education class. They were married on February 23rd, 1963, and enjoyed nearly sixty years of marriage, spending their early days as nomadic newlyweds, living throughout Michigan. After welcoming their four children, Scott, Ken, Wendy, and Corey, Gary purchased a family home and farm in Blanchard, which became a core part of his life.
To remember Gary is to remember his life on the family farm, where he would ride his pickup truck in the back field, hunt for deer on chilly November mornings, tend to his vegetable garden, and care for the many livestock he would unexpectedly bring home. As a father, Gary is remembered for his commitment to instilling a strong work ethic, and good moral values in his children through the daily tasks of farm life. As a grandpa to his five grandchildren, Gary was playful, full of imagination and joy, often taking his grandchildren around the back property to go on adventures. Gary relished being amongst God’s creations in nature, and his life on the farm, with his family, was central to that joy. In supporting his family, Gary worked hard for nearly fifty years as a boilermaker, and was proud to be part of the Local 169 International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Union. Gary was grateful for the friendships he made in his time with the boilermakers, which lasted a lifetime. As a businessman, Gary’s love of learning, and natural curiosity, served him well. Through his entrepreneurial efforts and vast mechanical knowledge, Gary was granted several patents. His creativity, and constant desire to improve the world around him, is remembered well by business associates, family, and friends. While family life was central to who Gary was, his kindness was not limited to those he knew, but rather, his altruism extended out into his community. Gary was always willing to lend a helping hand to someone with a tough job to do, to sit with someone who may be lonely and have a cup of coffee, call to check in on those who were struggling, or offer support in times of hardship. He was a man of few words, but his actions spoke volumes about the care he had for those around him.
Gary’s legacy of devotion, integrity, honesty and kindness lives on in those who survive him. His wife, Nancy, his four children: Scott Campbell (Tiffany), Kenneth Campbell (Caren), Wendy (Walter) Todd, and Corey (Shelly) Campbell; five grandchildren Erika (Sean) Tobin, Olivia Campbell, Chloe Campbell, Taryn Rau-Campbell, and Jacob Schall; seven brothers and sisters, David (Sharon) Campbell, Paul (Stacey) Campbell, Linda (William) Cogswell, Claudia (Keith) Sterling, Christine (James) Helms, Gloria (Patrick) Fox, Lisa Campbell and their families.
Whenever those who love Gary offer to lend a hand to someone in need, sit quietly and enjoy a cup of coffee with someone who is lonely, or gather together with their families, they will carry on the legacy he built and passed on to them. His family takes comfort in the knowledge that he is reunited with those who preceded him in death: his father, Donald Campbell; mother, Wanita Campbell (Jones); and his brothers, Thomas, Michael, and William (Anna) Campbell.
Those he left behind will sorely miss him, but know we will meet again.
Visitation will be from 10am-11am, with Funeral Mass to immediately follow, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Remus, MI on Thursday, January 19th. After the service, the family invites friends to share in a luncheon at St. Michael School.
Those desiring to donate may direct memorial contributions to God's Helping Hands of Mecosta County.
Floral arrangements may be sent to St. Michael Catholic Church on Thursday morning.
Friends may share a memory with the family at www.janowiczfamilyfuneralhome.com.
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