SAYING GOODBYE TO "THE KEEPER OF THE FLAME"...

DAVID RICHARD CAMPBELL

Feburary 25, 1948

December 4, 2010

Service officiated by long-time friend, Mayor J.H. Graham

WE are here today to celebrate the life of Richard Campbell.  Richard, our life long friend, died Saturday afternoon, of an apparent heart attack.  He was 62...I have known Richard all my life, starting when he and I went to Crossville Elementary in the 2nd grade.  When I went to Homestead in the 4th grade, we did not have much contact until the 6th grade when we played against each other in Elementary football. He played for Crossville as quarterback and I played for Homestead.  Then we had lots of contact, especially in the 7th grade when he split my lip during the County Championship game.  He was always the quarterback.  He played football with us until it was obvious that he would excel as a basketball player later in high school.  He was a real athlete.  But what I remember most about high school athletics was the volleyball we were to play.  Boy, did we have some games, Ralph, P.D., Charlie, Joe, he was always the captain, to choose up teams.  He would always say, Graham, you take the other side, then he would do his best to make me eat the ball, and everyone else for that matter.

Amazingly enough, we all finally graduated from High School, not withstanding the fact that we started the girl haters club in our Freshman year.  The only thing that I can remember is that Charlie Wilson broke the pledge first toward dating, never to be caught even speaking to a girl.  Somehow we got over that.  Which reminds me our our college days at Tech...and I won't talk about Richard's trailer in Cookeville when we all started at Tech...since there are so many young people here today..  I will leave that to your imagination and just say that some things are better left unsaid...except we may have had a party or two there.

Richard graduated from Tennessee Tech with a degree in Engineering, and I mention this not because he excelled in his Campbell Construction Company, but because of his second career.  He became the Director of Public Works for the City of Crossville while I was Mayor.  He met me in my office one day and said that since we needed to fill that position that he thought he could arrange for 3 Council voted for the job.  I told him that he needed to recount, that if he counted mine...her would have 4.  He was perfect for the job.  He got a full days work out of his crew and could do anything we asked...except I should point out that when I would ask him to do something...he would give me one of two answers...Yes, Sir...or HELL NO, WE CAN'T DO THAT...he was the best Director the City of Crossville would ever have.

Richard had to retire from the City so as to take care of his aging parents.  He was the best family man I have ever known.  He loved his family.  He loved his parents.  He was a great husband for Sharon.  He was a great Dad for John David...and one of the best friends this Mayor has ever know.  We all love you Richard and my heart aches at you passing...Mayor J.H. Graham

To his parents, Richard Campbell was a wonderful son who provided loving care as their health declined in recent years.  He was always there for them and he never complained.

To his wife, Sharon and his son John, he was a great husband and father, one with wham they shared a third of a century.

To his country, he was a patriot, one who served in Vietnam...then came home and put it behind him, rarely discussing it.

And to us, he was a great friend.  A patient, easygoing friend and neighbor...one who often stopped by with a bag of homegrown tomatoes and the latest news from the barber shop.  And before he left, he would generally find a leaky faucet or a balky door to repair.

Friends don't come any better than Richard Campbell.  We will always cherish his memory...

Dennis and Dorine Hatler

MEMORIES OF RC

So many memories of RC throughout the years.  Some of our favorites are:

Chalet weekends in Gatlinburg

Hiking in the Smokies

Rummy, Poker, and Pool Games

Sunset cruises on Lake tansi with "Friends in Low Places" playing

Golf trips to Florid

Sunsets at the Tiki Hut

Volley ball games on Sunday afternoon at the house and beach volleyball in Destin

The Murphy NC golf trip

Nashville trips for a ballgame and 2nd avenue country music

The "Yuppie Party" that RC and Sharon hosted for us many, many years ago

UT wins, UT losses, UT tailgating...ORANGE ALL THE WAY...no matter what

Sam and Andy visits on game day

Homegrown vegetables from the Campbell garden

Hanging out with friends around the big fire with friends, fellowship, and good food

Old time rock and roll and bluegrass music which RC loved so much

Two step lessons in RC and Sharon's living room

Your drop by visits" to see everyone and just "checking in"

We will miss you...our dear friend, RC....

Perry and Cindy Turner

I HAVE known Richard casually for many years. We got to know each other well in the

mid 1980’s. We played many rounds of golf together.

Richard was the type of person who would usually do what he says (most of the time). He

told me a few years ago that he was going to check out when he was about 65 years old.

He didn’t hardly make it to 65, but as he said about 65.

Richard called me one time along about 4:30 PM. It was in the winter time and was just

turning dark. He said, do you have any oil? He said that he had drained the oil out his

1988 Toyota pickup and did not have any to put back in it.

I immediately went to giving him a hard time about checking his oil supply before

changing the oil. He said that “them boys” had used it up.

I said what boys are you talking about, as his son John Boy was just about 7 years old. I

can’t remember what his response was, but he had some kind of excuse.

I went to Walmart and got him a case of oil and delivered it to Big Lick.

How much do I owe you, Richard asked? You don’t owe me nothing, but you know I am

going to tell everyone about this episode.

I later bought that Toyota truck. It had a dent in the left front fender with a busted signal

light where John Boy had backed into him. He taped the signal light up with duck tape. I

can’t remember how much I paid him for the truck, but he threw the roll of duck tape in

on the deal and told me that I should re-tape it about every 1000 miles.

I later sold the truck and threw the duck tape in on the deal.

I owned a house in town on Genesis Road. Richard was retired for either the first or

second time. He would stop by 2 to 3 times a week. He would come to town every day

and go to George Burkhart’s barber shop, the fire hall, or just any where to set around and

shoot the bull.

I told Richard that he should just move to town and save some money on gas. He said that

if he did that he would not have anywhere to go.

Richard come by the house one Saturday morning and had one of those wooden ball

puzzles. It was took apart and he said that he had been trying to put it back together for

about 2 or 3 months.

I played around with it for a minute or two and told him just to leave it with me and I

would try to put it back together.

That afternoon Rick Lynch came over and went to playing with the ball. Rick about had it

fixed in about 10 minutes and I told him to take it home with him and fix it.

Monday morning Rick brought it back put together.

I laid it on the bar and the next time Richard came over he wanted me to tell him how to

do it. I would not tell him of course. I explained that a puzzle is no fun if you have to get

someone to show you how to work it.

A couple of months later Richard came back with the ball in pieces. He was wanting me

to put it back together.

I explained that I did not have time and just leave it with me and I would put it back

together. I of course took it back to Rick Lynch.

I took the ball and put it in a plastic grocery bag and wrapped up in duck tape and told

Richard to not take it apart again.

See ya, Richard.

William A. Thompson

YESTERDAY a group of men gathered for their weekly social event. This is a fun event where they play cards, build a fire, and usually cook something. It is a diverse group from different walks of life. They argue about politics and anything else that comes up. They rarely agree on anything. However, I think all would agree that yesterday was the saddest one ever. One of the group was not there. The one who could answer our questions on just about anything. The one who could tell you how to fix something. The one who would come fix it for you. They will all agree on one other thing. They all had a great deal of respect for Richard Campbell.

Richard was a man's man. He was straight forward. He told you like it was, not what you wanted to hear. He was someone you could trust. His word was his bond. He did things his way. About once a month Richard would bring hot dogs for lunch. I think the first time he brought them, we threw them on the grill like we usually do. He later told me he liked his boiled. Typical Richard, the next time he brought them he had a big pot with him to boil them in and left it for future use. He solved the problem. He was good at that.

Richard usually had a fire going when we got there. He liked fire. His grandfather had taught him how to build one. The wood needed stacked just right. Sitting abound that fire he would talk of his grandparents, his mom and dad, and Sharon and John. His family meant everything to him. Richard's standard answer to any question about his mom was "whatever she wants." He spoke of his Shine warmly and often. He loved you very much. That was obvious.

And to John.Your daddy was very, very proud of you. You were the light in his eyes. He told us some of the father/son things that went on. A dad's job is to raise his son to become a man. Richard has done a great job of that. He knew that he could have done some things to make it easier on you, but you would benefit more by doing it yourself. The one I remember well was that you had an alternator on your car go out. You called your dad for advice. He said "what would you do John if I weren't here?" You replied, I guess I would go to the junkyard and find one." Richard just smiled. He knew you learned something. John you were very fortunate to have a father who loved you as much as he did.

I mentioned earlier that Richard liked fires. About 3 o'clock he would get up and say, "time to go to Big Lick and build a fire." I am pretty sure that when we get where we are going, Richard will have a fire waiting on us.

Until then, we sure are going to miss him

George Young

Sorry, poker buddies, this is what happens when I have no original photo...hope you get a chuckle out of this!

RICHARD Campbell was my friend; he never told me; I just always knew it. And Richard Campbell knew I was his friend, I never told him; it wasn’t necessary; we both knew. We attended CCHS together, graduating in 1966, attended Tennessee Technological University graduating in the 1970s, him after serving is the U.S. Army and I in the U.S. Air force. For Thirty Two years he and Sharon and Janie and I shared adjoining seats in Neyland Stadium where we enjoyed hundreds of Tennessee football games. Also during these years we have played countless rounds of golf and shared a few unforgettable and hilarious ski trips. I will never forget how much my family looked forward to spending the day at the Campbell's for their July 4th celebrations and their wonderful hospitality to everyone who showed up for this greatly attended event. There is a song that goes back to our younger days and for whatever reason when I would hear this song I would always think of Richard: It goes like this,

Jeremiah was a bullfrog, he was a good friend of mine. I never understood a single word he said, but I helped him drink his wine. He always had some mighty fine wine.

Sing it to Joy to the World...all the boys and girls now, joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea and joy to you and me

In closing I know Richard Campbell brought a tremendous amount of Joy to the World, he always brought joy to me. I will miss you my friend.

Joe Young

MY UNCLE Richard has always held a special place in my heart.  He was more like a big brother.

He was there years ago to pick me up at the Rockwood bus station after I wrecked my car in Virginia and had to bus it back.  He said "Sis, you all right?"

He was there at the Crossville hospital one Thanksgiving day when I wrecked yet again.  He said "Sis, you need me to get anything out of the car?"

He was there when cancer was taking the last breaths from my mom, his sister.  He said "Sis, there are worse things than dying.

The many times I've asked him why he had to leave us, I hear him say "Sis, it was my time to go."

With a broken heart,

Beloved niece,

Penny Erwin Chubb

OUR STORY

I WAS13.  He was 12.  I was in the 8th grade, he was in the 7th.  He had big brown eyes and a smile the could melt the hardest of hearts.  I was in love!  He wasn't...or so he said.  He did, after all, belong to a girl hater's club and could not be "in like", much less "in love."  For a few short months he allowed himself a few trips around the skating rink with me...but there would be no holding hands.  I was in love, he wasn't.

Heartbroken, I went on my way and he went his way.

15 years later he was returning from his tour in Viet Nam, there would be a party and I had been invited.  He was more handsome than ever.  And, to no surprise to me, I was in love.  But was he?  No longer a member of the girl haters club, he was able to speak freely without fear of reprisal.  He was in love!!!...always had bee, he said.

That day our pathways became one and we walked side by side on that pathway for 33 years.  There were hills and valleys, twists and turns, a few muddy puddles along the way, and an occasional detour.  But for 33 years the walk was quite easy and I thank him for that.

Life blessed us all along our way.  Our greatest blessing was the birth of a beautiful blue-eyed baby boy.  And again, we fell in love.  As the love for our John David grew, so grew our love.

Now it seems life has brought us full circle.  You have left our pathway to walk another.  With a shattered heart, I know I must let you go.  Pick a wide path, RC, for someday I will be joining you and we will once again be walking side by side, holding hands and falling in love all over again.

Until that time, My Love, I will carry you in my heart.  I will hold and protect our memories and love.

Till we meet again My Dearest, walk in peace and know that you are loved dearly and missed by so many.

Forever in love,

Your Shine

Dad,

I STAND before you today a satisfied son. As I sit here writing this, I wonder how many sons can truthfully say that? I feel that you have given me the common sense, engineering knowledge, sense of humor, work ethic, ability to be steadfast in fairness and to show love in my actions which speak louder than words to be a good man. As I travel the world through my profession, I find these values in individuals are a rare combination. I do my best to exude these qualities in everyday life. As a kid, I watched you perform them everyday. In learning these qualities, you have given me success in my profession that very few have obtained at age 32.

Thank you Dad.

It makes me happy that you don’t have to worry about me. I remember you told me on numerous occasions that you weren’t going to be here forever and the sooner I learned to live on my own, the better off I would be. I am pretty sure that your philosophy is correct in most walks of life. I also know that it made you proud that I don’t ask you for money and what I have now is everything I earned. To that point though, you didn’t want to spend an extra $5.99 a month just to get the movie channels on satellite, so I knew asking for something I wanted was going to be an unsuccessful request anyways. Your redeeming quality in this category though, was that it was easy for you to give a me or a friend $5,000 if we needed it. Your generosity for people in need goes unchallenged. I do think if the government had your spending philosophy, we would have a zero deficit, but HBO, Showtime and Cinemax would be out of business.

So I am sitting here in the house you built with your hands, by your fireplace, missing you. I don’t think you were quite ready to go but I do know that you passed the way that you wanted. Just to remind you, I will take care of Momma and make sure that everything gets figured out with the family. I hope that you are happy that we are going to bury you in your boots and you can watch over me as I repeat the important qualities in life you taught me to keep the Campbell name in high respect.

Thank you for being my friend, my consultant, my buddy, my coach and my father. Your soul lives inside me and I will never let that go. I am proud to be your one and only son.

I love you Momma and I will always be your rock you can lean on until the end of time.

Written Proudly,

Go Big Orange,  John Campbell

A Short History

WORDS OF LOVE AND ENCOURAGEMENT FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS:

I needed the quiet so He drew me aside,

Into the shadows where we could confide.

Away from the bustle where all the day long
I hurried and worried when active and strong.

I needed the quiet. No prison my bed,

But a beautiful valley of blessings instead

A place to grow richer in Jesus to hide.

I needed the quiet so He drew me aside.

In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all...it comes with bittersweet agony...Perfect relief is not possible except with time. You cannot realize that you will ever feel better...and yet this is a mistake. You are sure to be happy again. To know this, which is certainly true, will make you some less miserable now. I have had experience enough to know what I say.

Abraham Lincoln

Till we meet again...

Our loving husband, father, grandfather, son and friend...Love Lifted Me...