Mr. Robert L. Campbell, Jr.

June 27, 1946 - June 11, 2016

Robert Lee Campbell, Jr., was born June 27, 1946, he was called home to be with the Lord, on June 11, 2016. The dash between a birth-date and a death-date is a powerful little line. It represents the time spent alive on earth. Today we celebrate Robert’s dash, how he lived, how he loved, and was loved in return. Robert was the eldest child of Robert Lee Sr. and Henretta Campbell. Robert spent his childhood in Inverness, Mississippi. Life in Inverness was simple but hard. Robert would often talk about having to work in the fields as a boy. In 1957, the family moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan. Robert grew up during the era of many movements which included, The Civil Rights movement, the Black Power movement and the anti -Vietnam movement, during this era Robert love of music was for the Motown sound. While hanging out with his cousin Dorothy, he was introduced to her friend Katie Davis in 1963, this was the beginning of a life- long relationship. Robert and his brother, Willie, were running buddies, and yes, they got into a lot of trouble together. Being the eldest of ten, Robert was in charge when Momma had to work. He had to watch his two brothers and seven younger sisters, those ‘dern girls!’ he would often say. He learned how to take care of others at an early age. Robert graduated from Central High School in 1964 and upon the second draft was obligated to serve in the military, serving honorably during the Vietnam War. Upon his return home, he worked for Brown Paper Company. Robert and Katie conceived a daughter together, Tawanda Denise, born in November 1969. Like all of us, Robert had challenges in life, and he decided to take a new path that included going back to school for accounting. This eventually led him to working at Western Michigan University as a Financial Aid counselor. It was there that Robert’s passion for helping others really blossomed. He loved his job. Robert took joy and pride helping students above and beyond his job description. He was a true role model. Robert met Laverne in 1981, and they got married in 1986. After going their separate ways Robert and Laverne remained the best of friends. Robert maintained close ties with childhood and neighborhood friends. He loved the Detroit Tigers and his box of wine! His interests varied from the stock marketing to cooking, and even gardening and fishing. Robert could be stubborn and set in his ways. One saying of his was “I ain’t fattening no frogs, to feed snakes!” Basically, he wasn’t wasting time, money or effort on something of no benefit. One of Robert’s most admirable qualities was that he was a family man, always there to help and support. Robert had a special relationship with his niece Tonya (Fassie) Campbell. We all had a relationship with Robert that was unique. He was the one to call if we had any problems, and he never turned any of us away, evidently we weren’t frogs! Robert retired from Western Michigan University after 31 years of employment in 2010. After a brief illness, Robert’s dash ended June 11, 2016, joining his parents, Henretta and Robert Campbell, Sr., brother Willie, sisters Emma and Deede. Robert leaves to cherish his memory daughter, Tawanda Thompson, life-time companion Katie Hunt, beloved children Melinda Thompson, Peaches (Annie) Mitchell, Shantone, Frank Davis, and Jewel Brown; grandchildren Terrence (Mook) Smith, Jazmine and Javon Houston. Beloved grandchildren, Shawn, Terrell, Misa Thompson, and Wondon Hughes. Also two great-grandchildren, Jelani and GiaVonna Houston all of Kalamazoo; one brother, Larry Campbell of Battle Creek; six sisters, Mary Helen Campbell, Mamie (Rick) Campbell, and Loretta Campbell-Bates all of Kalamazoo, Rachel Campbell of Minnesota, Barbara Covington of Georgia, and Rebecca (Randy) Campbell Spaulding of Florida; two special aunts Mary Stredrick and Doretha Nash of Illinois, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, as well as a special childhood friend Johnnie Holland and neighbor Tom. Robert, your dash was well lived (Heb 12:1-3).