Terry Dean Campbell

Our heavenly Father called home a simply remarkable man, Husband, Son, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, and Friend. On January 3, 2024, Terry Dean Campbell passed away peacefully in the area he called home for over 35 years, Roseville, CA.  Terry, was born on July 28, 1941 in Chicago, IL, to Howard and Genevieve Campbell.

Terry’s was a love story for the ages, he met his wife Janet in 1959 while they were both students at Oak Lawn High School.

Immediately after graduation, Terry was drafted into the United States Army in 1961. Terry became a military police officer in the U.S. Army where he was first stationed at Ft. Benning, in GA and was eventually assigned Ft. Buchanan in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Terry was honorably discharged from the army in 1964.

High School sweethearts, and while on leave from the Army, Terry and Janet married on December 1, 1962, in Chicago, IL.  As mentioned, theirs was a love affair for the ages, an example to emulate, celebrated love 61 years of marriage, prior to his passing. 

Terry and Janet went right to work following their marriage by starting their family. The loving couple had 3 boys, Michael, Rick & Brian and at the time resided in Glendale Heights, IL. While in Glendale Heights, Terry served as a volunteer police officer for the Glendale Heights police department. In 1977 a job prospect to leverage his skill and trade as a Refrigeration Contractor a rose in CA resulting in the family relocating  to California, first Napa & finally settling in Roseville, CA in 1979. 

A few years after moving to California, Terry and Janet added their fourth and final child, a beautiful girl among men, Jennifer.  One of Terry’s favorite remarks was “I spent 40 years, just raising kids.”  This was because there was 18 years between the first and last.  A frequent question from people who heard or would see siblings together was “same parents” Blessed and grateful we will forever answer proudly, yes!

While Terry enjoyed being a father, his joy and true love came from being “Papa” to his grandchildren. In our family, he was the “baby whisperer”. When it came to naps, sometimes including his own snooze in his chair, he relished having photos of each grandbaby sleeping on his chest.  Terry was a talented artist and loved to draw pictures for his grandchildren to color or pumpkins to carve.  He enjoyed regaling his grandkids with stories of his childhood and time in the military.  He also enjoyed singing out of tune, the family might argue in the finest monotone to get a laugh and would also make up funny endings to songs to get a laugh.  “Captain Campbell’s Raiders,” “Cool Clear Water” by Marty Robbins & “Rocka Bye Baby” were some of his favorites.

Terry in his younger years was known to “tinker” he always had a project whether it be working on a piece of equipment, one of his kid’s cars or helping a friend.  He didn’t know a stranger and had many friends who he kept in touch with up until the end.  He loved watching sports, especially watching his grandkids play ice hockey and baseball. He was a fan of most Chicago teams, but he was a DIEHARD Chicago Cubs fan.  He was so happy to see them win the World Series in 2016.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents Howard & Genevieve Campbell and his in-laws Leroy and Evelyn Stringham.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years Janet; sons, Michael (Denise) Campbell of Mesa, AZ, Rick and Brian of Roseville CA. Daughter, Jennifer (Scott) of Salida, CO. Grandchildren, Ryan (Paige) Campbell, AZ, Jake (Jayelin) Campbell AZ, Rex (Hannah) Campbell ID, Jack CA, Scarlett and Kade Campbell CO. And one great-grandchild, Leighton Campbell AZ. Other survivors include his older brother Howard (Dorothy) Campbell MI and younger sister Jerilyn (Bill) Sandt IL. Sister-in-laws, Patricia Thorn CA and Mary Jo Taska IL as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and nephews, spread across the country.

The loss of our father, grandfather, uncle, brother & friend has been grievous, but we take solace in knowing he is with our Lord and his parents once again, teaching all those to sing ”We’re Captain Campbell’s Raiders and we’re riders of the night, we’re hungry sons o’ guns and we’d rather eat than fight….”

The family would love for you to attend Terry's Memorial Service on Friday, March 1st, 2024, at 9 AM at St. Rose Catholic Church in Roseville, CA.

In addition, if you would like to donate in Terry's name to support his wife Janet who is battling Alzheimer's Disease please use the link below: