Samuel Erle Campbell, Jr.

Sam was preceded in death by his wife Barbara, son Samuel Erle Campbell III, and brother Robert. He is survived by his sister Shirley McGuinness of Scotch Plains, NJ and children Stafford (Adele) Campbell of Vancouver, WA, Kimberly (Lindsay) Barker and Michael (Holly) Campbell of San Jose, CA, and Andrew (Rhonda) Campbell of Indio, CA. He was the beloved grandfather of Justin and Shane Campbell; Rachel Fournier Gault and Julie Fournier, Samuel Barker; and Jeffrey and Christopher Campbell.

Sam was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma and moved with his family to the Chicago area as a child. He graduated from New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois and following his service in the US Navy during WWII at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, attended the University of Kansas. Sam had a long and successful career in the publishing business, working for the Chek Chart division of the H.M. Gousha Company in downtown Chicago where he met his wife Barbara. In 1972 he moved his family to San Jose after the company moved its operations to the Bay Area.

Sam enjoyed growing roses and other gardening activities, and was an avid stamp collector and photographer. In addition to these hobbies, he enjoyed traveling, attending sporting events and spending time with his family and friends outdoors. As a youth, he spent his summers fishing and canoeing in the Boundary Waters Wilderness area in northern Minnesota and Canada, later taking his own children on numerous canoe trip adventures there. After moving to California, he discovered the Sierra Nevada mountains and Yosemite National Park and spent many years hiking and camping there with family and friends. His love and respect for nature was a virtue Sam instilled in his children and is something he will be remembered by.

Sam was a kind and caring person, with a ready smile, and was a loyal friend to many. He was a good neighbor and was known for his portrayal of Uncle Sam at his annual neighborhood Fourth of July block party. He enjoyed the camaraderie with his neighborhood friends, and was an asset to the greater San Jose community at large. He served for many years as a volunteer poll worker and was a longtime member of Holy Spirit Parish in San Jose, where he participated in committee activities following his retirement from H.M. Gousha. He was also active in the Knights of Columbus charitable organization.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 3rd at 1:00 PM at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Sam’s name to the Alzheimers Association (https://act.alz.org/donate).