C. John Campbell Jr. gave up his seven-year fight with prostate cancer on February 7, 2024, at age 81. He passed away at his Central Park home surrounded by his wife and children.
John was born to Clayton and Mary Campbell in Orofino, Idaho on October 13, 1942. At the time of John’s birth, his father was on active duty with the Flying Tigers in China. When Clayton returned, the family lived at several army bases until settling in Boise, Idaho in 1945. John was the oldest of five children. He attended Boise schools graduating from Boise High School and Boise Junior College. While growing up his favorite hobbies were hunting, fishing, and camping with the family. He also enjoyed his Boy Scout troop and made several lifelong friends. He went on to become a Scout Master.
John went to the University of Idaho and earned BS and MS degrees in Chemical Engineering. At that time, he met his future wife, Pauline Handeland, who was attending Washington State University. They were married in 1968 in Tacoma, Washington and enjoyed a 55-year relationship. After graduating from college, they moved to California for eight years while John worked for Shell Oil Company as a Reservoir Engineer, mainly in the Ventura oil field.
When the oil industry consolidated in Houston, John and Pauline, along with their new daughter Tonja decided to return to the Northwest in 1974. John secured a job with Weyerhaeuser Company as a Process Engineer at the Cosmopolis Pulp Mill. His son Clayton soon arrived after the move to Aberdeen, Washington. John worked at Weyerhaeuser the rest of his career retiring as the Reliability Manager when the mill closed in 2006.
John considered Grays Harbor to be heaven on earth with its hunting, fishing and outdoor activities. Salmon fishing and gardening being his favorite retirement hobbies. John was actively involved with the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), an advocacy organization working to protect native salmon and steelhead. John also participated in the yearly WDFW North of Falcon process regarding fisheries management. John believed in healthy eating and cultivated a garden with veggies, berries and fruit trees. His raspberries, applesauce and blackberry jam were favorites. He also enjoyed growing flowers, including dahlias, irises and orchids.
John was a man of integrity and had a strong work ethic. He was a rational, scientifically minded person who liked to share his knowledge and ideas, especially with his grandchildren.
John believed in contributing to the local community. He established the Pauline and John Campbell Engineering Scholarship Fund through the Grays Harbor Community Foundation for college students pursuing degrees in the field of engineering.
John was a devoted husband, caring father and a loving grandfather. He will be greatly missed.
John was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Douglas and Gregory. John is survived by his wife (Pauline Campbell), two children Tonja (Ian Dickson) Campbell of Winthrop, Washington and Clayton (Jennifer) Campbell of Salt Lake City, Utah, three grandchildren and two sisters, Marjory (James) Clements of Hope Idaho and Beth (Kelly) Carothers of Torrance, California.
Per John’s request, there will be no formal end of life service. In honor of his memory, please consider a donation to the CCA at https://ccawashington.org/donate/.
