C. Raymond "Ray" Campbell

On April 8, 2020 our dear beloved C. Ray Campbell was taken from us suddenly by the horrible Coronavirus and many lives will never be the same. He was welcomed through Heaven’s Gate by his parents Bertha Gordon & John Raymond Campbell, brother John Campbell, grandson Clinton and many more family and friends. Especially welcoming him with open arms was our dear friend Jane Carole Hixon who died last July. Ray is survived by many loving family members and friends who miss him dearly. His wife, Judith “Judibud”. Even though we were denied a celebration of our 40th Anniversary in June my daughter reminded me we were still together 40 years and we always felt so blessed to have found each other. His beloved children: Laura “Sam” Simpkins, Kymberlee “Kimo” Cerrada & husband Jorge of Naples, FL, Kevin Campbell & Gloria of Citrus Heights, Michael Campbell & wife Andrea of Sacramento and Shelley Campbell of Paradise, CA, and of course his beloved 4-legged daughter, Kellie. Brother David Campbell, Adel, GA and sister-in-law Thea Campbell, Tifton, GA. Two sons-in-law Michael Simpkins, VA Bch and Robert Simpkins Aiken, SC, six precious grandchildren, three great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Ray was born July 19, 1934 and grew up in Martinsville, VA. After High School the family moved to this area and he started learning his carpentry skills that he would perfect throughout his life. He joined the Air Force and served close to five years at stations in Texas, Utah & Alaska. After his service he went back into the construction field, learning in particular the floor covering trade and opened his own installation company: Quality Carpet Service in VA Beach. At one time he had as many as 13 crews traveling up and down the East Coast installing carpet in stores, malls, office buildings, restaurants & military base buildings. He was a hard worker and taught the trade to many people including his sons. One who later became a close friend & employee said they would “work side by side but he could never keep up and he had an amazing work ethic with very high standards . . . . . always a perfectionist with every job”. He always had a desire to open a real “carpet store with a showroom” and he realized that dream when he opened The Square Yard, Inc. in 1979. They furnished and installed carpet, block tile, cove base and ceramic tile in custom homes, offices, restaurants & on military base buildings here in the area & beyond. Then in 1980 a mutual friend introduced us and within less than six months we were married. Three years later I started working at the Square Yard and from then on for the next 25 years we were together 24/7 running the business and sharing household chores. To be able to “chill” on the weekends and get away from the business we invested in several motor homes over the years and followed the NASCAR races up and down the East Coast, camping with friends near the tracks. For a couple years he became a novice photographer for a small racing publication and was able to enter the infield, take photos, meet and talk with the drivers. His favorites were Richard Petty, Ricky Rudd & Jeff Gordon. He loved it! In the 1990’s we developed another “after hours” hobby with the collecting of the little porcelain house by Department 56. In 1992 we along with eight other collectors formed the local club: Dept. 56 Villagers of SEVA. Within a year or so we boasted of 250 members holding monthly meetings, having demos to share ideas and open houses at Christmas to show off our “villages”. With Ray’s carpentry skills he would build the wooden bases and I would design & create “Campbellville” in our living room. Over the years we were sometimes able to take a real “vacation”. We loved cruising with RCCL to places like Bermuda, Canada, Alaska, the Panama Canal, Hawaii, the Carribean & the Bahamas. We made especially precious memories of a 12 day cruise in the Baltic Sea with stops in 7 countries. While we were in port overnight in St. Petersburg we booked a day trip to Moscow. It was an awesome experience especially so since we were able to do it with good friends Brenda & Randy. Ray loved traveling with them. After our retirement in 2007 we cut back on our race attendance and traveled south to Florida and the next year found the little town of Mexico Beach along the beautiful Gulf Coast. It was there that we made our Snowbird Nest for the next 11 winters camping with friends in the Rustic Sands Campground. Oh migosh we loved it there! So we were heartsick when we saw photos on TV of the destruction caused by Hurricane Michael in 2018. It was literally wiped off the map and for various reasons will never be the same. However we always belive that,“Whenever God closes a door, somewhere He Opens a Window”. And he did, the fall before the storm we participated in a craft show at Community United Methodist Church and got many friendly invites to their small group ministries. When we attended the church service on the following Sunday and heard the organ music and saw the choir come down the center aisle…… we knew we had found a loving friendly church family. In a few weeks when the Methodist Men found out Ray had some experience volunteering in a church kitchen he was immediately “drafted” into their kitchen crew. The past two years Ray became part of the team that cooked the delicious Brunswick Stew that was the UMM’s annual fundraiser selling up to 1500 quarts each year. He so enjoyed his work with the guys and cherished their friendships. That relationship also led us to being invited to the Charles Wesley Sunday School Class, a group of people we could study the Bible with and fellowship with on social outings. In November Ray always looked forward to volunteering at the Salvation Army Christmas Depot with Jim. There was always a lot to do turning a huge empty store or warehouse into a store like atmosphere to distribute Toys & Angel Tree clothing gifts to over 3000 families. It always started right after Thanksgiving and had to be ready at least a week before Christmas. Last year he worked nearly every day and it was all the way at Wards Corner in Norfolk. And he didn’t miss a day during the distribution greeting families as they left the site with their loaded carts. He also formed many friendships with his fellow volunteers. Ray will be remembered always for his ready sincere smile, “great hugs”, outgoing personality, eagerness to help on any project, generosity, loving and caring disposition. He will be missed by so many, but not near as much as by” his angel-Judibud”. A graveside service will be held at 1p.m. June 3, at Rosewood Memorial Park in VA Beach where social distancing is possible. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions on social distancing, we are recommending friends and loved ones attend the graveside service from inside or standing near their vehicles. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Ray’s Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation, in memory of Ray to his favorite charity the Salvation Army- Christmas Depot 2020, 5525 Raby Rd., Norfolk, VA 23502. The family is grateful for ALL of the acts of kindness shown to Ray’s wife “Judibud” at this sad time. Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Please post your online condolences on the funeral home website for the Campbell family to help them get through this difficult time in their lives.