John Ronald Campbell

April 17, 1916 – April 9, 2011

Ron Campbell passed away peacefully at Legacy Hopewell Hospice just shy of his 95th birthday. Born in Portland to Scottish immigrants Joseph Campbell and Helen Cowie (Scott) Campbell, Ron was the third of eight children; brothers Roy, Joe, Dave and Jim; sisters Flora, Eleanor and Barbara. He married Margaret Grace Dryden on May 7, 1945, and enjoyed 50 years of marriage until her death November 15, 1995. Both WWII veterans, Ron will rejoin his wife at Willamette National Cemetery.

Ron has been known for his loyalty, dedication and passion for his Christian faith, his family, his country, and his work.

Born into a devoted Christian and hardworking carpenter’s family … a love of God, morality, and straightforwardness were ingrained. He was first a member of the Stark Street Gospel Chapel, then later helped build and guide the fellowship at Eastgate Bible Chapel. Relocating to Tigard in 2001, he became a member of the congregation at Tigard Christian Church. Son and son-in-law of preachers, he could teach the Word but he preferred to lead the singing or tell stories to Sunday school classes. He enjoyed his Christian bond with friends and relatives across several assemblies in Portland and Seattle, and in missionary service abroad.

Ron was in the first graduating class of Vestal grade school. He graduated from Washington high school and was a member of championship football and track teams. His 1933 track team was recognized as the greatest interscholastic track team in the history of Oregon having set thirty new state records in seven major meets that season. In 1934, Ron was the state champion in the 220 yard low hurdles and won every race of that season. He attended Oregon State College for one year then Multnomah Junior College for four terms while working part-time or full-time. His field of interest was engineering and he excelled in math. His interest in learning continued throughout his life; bible as well as academic studies. He especially enjoyed auditing an English literature course his son was teaching at Pacific Lutheran University; Ron’s probing questions have been woven into the ongoing teaching of that course.

“Soupy” was a decorated Navy pilot in WWII, flying a Dauntless Douglas dive boomer off the USS Hornet aircraft carrier and Guadalcanal in the Pacific theater of operations. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals for individual actions in Manila, Formosa, South China Sea and the Solomon Islands. His fellow Navy VB-11 pilots have been lifelong friends and he continued to attend Carrier Air Group reunions until 2001.

Ron’s professional career was in the transportation industry; 27 years with Consolidated Freightways followed by 19 years with Pacific Inland Tariff Bureau. With just one break in employment for military service, he started at CF’s Portland trucking terminal as a rating and billing clerk while attending college, then progressed to manage rate making for the CF’s entire Western operations. He then managed PITB and the setting of rates for both long-haul and short-line trucking companies operating in the western states. His co-workers and trucking industry associates have also been lifelong friends and until his dementia worsened over the last several years he had continued to enjoy his first-Monday-of-the-month lunches with a group of former Consolidated Freightways and Freightliner employees (Ex-Cons).

Of all his successes, Ron would name his marriage as his finest achievement. His first proposal was rebuffed, but “aunties” on both sides conspired and a second proposal was accepted. They were married in Portland before having to return to their active duty assignments in the Navy. They enjoyed building households in Portland, Los Altos, and then Parkrose. They enjoyed their immediate and extended family and church fellowships. They enjoyed working in the yard, playing golf, helping in the kitchen at Eagle Fern church camp, relaxing at the Oregon beach, and traveling to Scotland. Most of all they enjoyed each other.

Son, brother, husband, father, uncle … Ron will be missed by many. But all are happy that he is in a better place now with his Lord and Savior, and with loved ones that have preceded him in death. He is survived by his brother David; his three sons Thomas Joseph (Carey), John Ronald Jr (Teri), and Donald Gregory (Patti); and his grandchildren Nicole, Jamie, Grant and Sean. Ron was so happy that his grandchildren came late in his life so that he had time to enjoy them to the fullest.

A private interment was held at Willamette National Cemetery Wednesday April 13, 2011. A memorial service will be held at Eastgate Bible Chapel on Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 2pm. A memorial fund has been established for Eastgate Bible Chapel.