J. R. Campbell

J. R. Campbell died on April 15, 2026 at his home in Topeka, Kansas. J. R. was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, cousin, and friend. J. R.’s life was filled with warmth and a kind and humorous spirit that touched everyone fortunate enough to know him.

J. R. was born to Jack and Edith Campbell in September 1941 in Blockton, Iowa. Along with his brother, he spent his childhood helping on his family’s farm and was a member of the Boy Scouts. J. R. was a paperboy delivering newspapers (the Des Monies Register) and enjoyed reading newspapers his entire life, a Campbell family trait. He enjoyed attending the Iowa State Fair, both as a child and an adult, visiting the large animal barns. In high school, he participated in sports including basketball, baseball, track, and football. During his senior year of high school, J. R. was on the only ever undefeated Bedford High School football team. He, his brother, and the rest of the team were honored with a spot in the Bedford High School Hall of Fame in 2019. J. R. was very proud that he earned perfect attendance throughout his K-12 school years.

J. R. went to college at Iowa State University where he graduated with a civil engineering degree and met Ann, his wife of 61 years. J. R. and Ann wed on August 29, 1964. After graduating college, J. R. got a job as a civil engineer for the Kansas State Highway Commission, later the Kansas Department of Transportation and moved to Topeka, Kansas. His career spanned 41 years with the department. After retiring from KDOT, he worked at H&R Block as a tax preparer. J. R. was a member of the supervisory committee for the credit union for several years and played competitive bridge.

J. R. channeled his passion for sports by umpiring and refereeing slow pitch softball, high school football and basketball, and girls volleyball. He had 40 years of service to the Kansas State High School Activities Association as an active official and 30 years of service to the Topeka Officials Association. In 1983, he was chosen as an umpire for the Men’s National Slow Pitch Softball Tournament in Ohio. He served as scorekeeper for Washburn University basketball games for 30 years and nearly 1,000 games, including two national championship teams (men in 1987 and women in 2005). He enjoyed watching all sports, including baseball, NASCAR, football, and Iowa State athletics. J. R. attended a few NASCAR races with his brother and other family members and had a wonderful time. He was a proud Kansas City Royals fan and attended the first All-Star Game held at Royals Stadium in 1973. When he attended a Royals game he always had his score book to keep score.

He and his wife spent the years with friends, a part of many church activities, dinner groups, and movie groups. He was a member of Countryside United Methodist Church for 60 years. J. R. and Ann loved to travel, going to Campbell Family Reunions, on bus tours around the United States and Canada, exploring European countries, and several cruises including the Panama Canal, Alaska, and the Rhine, Main, and Danube Rivers. He also enjoyed trips to several major league baseball parks. He was interested in infrastructure in his travels, including bridges, locks, and street signs. J. R. and Ann enjoyed many activities and trips with the Shepherd’s Center of Topeka.

J. R. was a social man. It was impossible to spend a day with him in Topeka and not run into someone he knew. He made friends with anyone including the servers at Outback Steakhouse and later Longhorn Steakhouse, whom he gave a hard time by always telling them the food was terrible; even through he always enjoyed the food.

In 2021, J. R. and Ann moved to a retirement community, Brewster Place, where several lifelong friends were and also made many new, cherished friends.

One of his favorite quotes was from a sportswriter who said “When the one Great Scorer comes to write against your name – He marks – not that you won or lost – but how you played the game.” He also frequently said “Grace and Peace be with you”, and he prayed this for many people over the years.

J. R. is survived by his wife, Ann, his daughters Tracy (Kyle) Horn of Lenexa, Kansas and Jody Campbell of Streamwood, Illinois; grandchildren, Whitney (Emily) Horn of Overland Park, Kansas and Ryan Horn of Lenexa, Kansas; sister-in-law, Sandy Campbell of Arvada, Colorado; along with numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews from coast to coast.

J. R. was preceded in death by his parents, Jack Campbell and Edith (Stephens) Campbell; his brother, Allen Campbell; and his sister, Lisa Campbell-Patterson.

A celebration of life is planned for June 5, 2026 at 10:30 AM at Countryside United Methodist Church in Topeka, Kansas. Memorial donations can be made to the Australia Zoo (founded by the Steve Irwin family), Countryside United Methodist Church, or any animal charity of your choosing. 

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