Sandra Campbell

Sandra Merlene Campbell, 69, passed away on Friday, 16 August 2015. Born in Oakdale, California, she was raised in Atwater, California. Her parents, Thomas and Audrey Olaeta, were teachers in the Atwater Public School System. Both her mother and father graduated from the University of Pacific. Tommy was an All West Coast football quarterback at Pacific. Sandy enjoyed a happy youth in California's central valley during the post war years. Active, spirited, and curious, life was a great adventure for her. She attended the University of Pacific, and then Fresno State University. Naturally drawn toward a teaching career she became a first grade teacher and went to work in the on-base school at US Naval Air Station Lemoore California. Sandy was a wonderful teacher. Enthusiastic, with magical communication skills she kept the little ones engaged and interested.

Paul Campbell, a Navy Lieutenant and pilot, was introduced to her by a mutual friend, Janie Hamblin. Sandy's big blue eyes, gorgeous smile, and sparkling wit, easily sealed the deal. Love blossomed. Married within a year, they settled in to a wonderful young married life in the magical town of Lemoore. Naval aviators and their brides are incredibly gifted. Smart, engaged, healthy, responsible, they are terrific people with whom to live and work. Sandy's son Jeffery, was joined by Brett and Regan. The Campbell kids!

Sandy flourished as a Navy wife. She was involved in everything - wives clubs, volunteer programs, sports, and social events of all kinds. The round oak table in her kitchen was the site of many talking, listening, and counseling sessions. Parties were an art form, practiced often and with glee. Kids, dogs, cats, friends, and neighbors cycled through the front door making life vibrant and interesting. Insightful and quick witted she never lost track. She followed every conversation, even if there were multiple ones going on simultaneously. An incredible memory, she never forgot a name. A sports enthusiast, especially major league baseball and football (college or NFL) she knew players, mascots, nicknames, locations, everything! Many a JO (junior officer) ate humble pie after trying to outwit her at trivia.

When our time came to take command of an Attack Squadron, Sandy was ready, able, and willing. She had great rapport with the officers' wives and the enlisted wives. While the squadron was underway, she kept the information and news flowing both ways. When tragedy struck, she was strong, decisive and tireless. A shoulder to cry on, an ear that was listening, and a mind that knew how to solve problems. As we moved on to Carrier Airwing Command, Sandy demonstrated her flexibility and resiliency. New location, new squadrons, new people, new relationships, she took it all in stride. You just had to stand back and marvel as she maneuvered from being an outsider to being an trusted insider.

Separations are always hard. With the kids in school, Paul was gone on long shipboard cruises almost all the time. Sandy never let it phase her. A realist, she dealt with problems as they arose and moved on. Self pity was not in her vocabulary.

Creative, she had impeccable taste. Interior design was her passion. An uncanny eye for color, she could match and contrast colors, textures, shapes and sizes to bring about wonderful results. Paint, sew, arrange, she could turn a ho hum room into whatever moved her. Country was the most common theme, but other styles occasionally popped up as well. For years she made Christmas gifts for friends and family. Hand painted on wooden figures Paul had cut out. Starting in August she would sit at the kitchen table painting Christmas Santa gifts.

Oh, what a cook! Her Basque and the Italian genes really delivered. Sauces, soups, entrees, casseroles, pasta, meats, were mouth watering, flavorful, and sumptuous. For Christmas, Thanksgiving, and special occasions Sandy would set a formal table. From the crystal glassware, the silver cutlery and serving pieces, to the china cups and plates, everything was perfect yet seemed so effortless. Deservingly she always sat at the head of the table.

Music, Sandy loved to play the piano. Around Christmas we would all gather around the piano and sing carols. St Patrick's Day would always turn into a songfest. During other times of the year singing and playing would just spontaneously happen. What fun.

Impeccably dressed and groomed, Sandy was always a lady. The appropriate clothes for the situation at hand. Her gorgeous hair, a gift from God with assistance from her close friend the hairdresser.

Sandy is gone now. But her essence is still here, in the genes she left her children and grandchildren. She is still here in our mind and in our memory. We were all blessed to know her. Her children are blessed because they are from her. Sandra leaves her husband with whom she shared 42 years, Paul Campbell. She is survived by her sons: Jeffrey Campbell (Kristen) and Brett Campbell (Lorrie), daughter: Regan Campbell and grandchildren, Holden Campbell and Ansley Campbell. A memorial service and burial will be held on Friday,28 August 2015 at 10:00 AM at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Rd. Jacksonville, FL. Please arrive around 09:30 AM. Proceed to lane 3 in the processional staging area. Arrangements by Hardage - Giddins Rivermead Funeral Home, 127 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park, FL. Please leave words of comfort at www.hardage-giddensrivermead.com. In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made in the name of Sandy Campbell to the Clay County Humane Society, 2230 Filmore St, Orange Park FL,32065. www.clayhumane.org.