John Richard Campbell

Known by his middle nickname, “Dick”, John was born in Los Angeles, CA, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at John Brown University, and met his wife, Mary in 1956. He served 26 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring in 1982 with the rank of Captain, USN. Career highlights included Engineer Officer, USS Boston (CA-69) and USS Coral Sea (CV-41), Commanding Officer, USS NAVASOTA (AO-106) and Commissioning Commanding Officer, USS YELLOWSTONE (AD-41).

After his retirement from the Navy, Dick established “Campbell Investment Properties”, an investment real estate brokerage firm, in San Diego and El Cajon, CA. Dick served on the Board of Directors of both the San Diego and East County Associations of Realtor and was president of the San Diego County Apartment Association in 1995. He was a 25-year member of the Kiwanis Club of El Cajon Valley, serving 5 one-year terms as president and having been named as Kiwanian of year 4 times. He was named “Veteran of the Year” by the City of El Cajon in 2017. He served as a long-time treasurer at Gateway Church in El Cajon as well. He played tennis at Parkway Tennis and Swim Club in El Cajon and Lake Murray Tennis Club in San Diego. In his later years, he enjoyed golf at the Sycuan Pine Glen course in El Cajon as well as bowling at Parkway Bowl. He and his wife, Mary, moved to Olathe, Kansas in 2021 to be close to family members.

Dick will be remembered for his faith, integrity, honesty and devotion to country, family and friends. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Mary, his brother David of Lubbock, Texas and three daughters; Diana Johnson of Overland Park, KS; Sandra Adams of Olathe, KS and Julia Carr of Corinne, Maine; four grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. He is also survived by Dianne Durrenberger, his bonus daughter, and her son Jonathan of Olathe, KS and La Mesa CA, respectively.

A memorial service will be conducted at Olathe View Baptist Church (Olathe, KS) on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 11:00 am CST time. The service will be livestreamed at www.olatheview.org.