Roll Call Tribute

Albert Beryl Campbell, Jr. 

July 16, 1932 - December 15, 2024 

Albert B. Campbell, Jr., age 92, of Bryan, Texas passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2024. Albert was born in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Albert (Al) Campbell, Jr. of Bryan, Texas passed away on December 15, 2024, after battling invasive skin cancer for several years. Al is survived by his wife Claire and sons Blaine and his wife Marci of Madison Wisconsin; Flint and his wife Carol of Arnold Kansas; Kyle and his wife Bun of Montgomery Texas; daughter Robin (deceased) and husband Perry Henman of Ellis, Kansas; cousins Jeanne Boudreau of Parker, Colorado, Norman Creel of Rapid City, South Dakota; 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Al was born on July 16, 1932, in the hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado to Albert Beryl Campbell and Rossie Roberta Richardson. His early years were in Grand Junction and Eagle Colorado where his father was in the lumber business. Al spent summers with his Campbell grandparents on a ranch in Paonia, Colorado. In 1942 Al’s Father took a job in sales with Ralston Purina and the family moved to Denver and then to St. Louis. Al was involved in athletics and marching band during his Jr. and High school years. He played several instruments, the trombone being his favorite. While in high school, Al worked each summer at various ranches in Colorado. Al graduated from Southwest High School in St. Louis in June 1950. He had an interest in agriculture and immediately became a ranch hand at a ranch owned by Oklahoma Panhandle University.

The Korean war started in June of 1950 and in September Al left Oklahoma for St. Louis where he became a certified auto and diesel mechanic. Meanwhile, he joined the Missouri Army Air National Guard. His guard unit was activated in 1951 and became part of the regular Air Force. His unit was sent to Vermont and shortly after the Air Force issued a need for mechanical personnel. Al volunteered and was sent to Korea where he served for one year. He ended active duty in 1953 with an honorable discharge from the Air Force in January of 1954.

Al’s academic career started with the help of the GI Bill in the summer of 1953 when he enrolled at Fort Hays State University in Kansas where he earned the BS in Business Administration. Later he earned a Master of Arts degree from Western State Colorado and the Doctorate in Education from Arizona State University in 1970. He accumulated academic credits along the way from Claremont Graduate University in California, Florida State, Texas A&M University and Sam Houston. Al’s first job following college was Manager of The Gunnison, Colorado Chamber of Commerce. This was followed by his becoming part-owner of the Western Furniture and Appliance, Moving and Storage in Gunnison. His temporary and part-time positions included Justice of The Peace and Police Magistrate, U.S. Forest Service, asphalt paving sales, and owner of Al’s Automotive Maintenance and Repair Co. Al was part owner and operator of The Riverside Hotel in Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado. Meanwhile, he was supported by a beautiful family, his wife Pat, daughter Robin and sons Blaine and Flint.

Al earned Teaching Certificates in both Academic and Vocational Education. He taught high school in Carlsbad, N. M. and both secondary and Junior College at New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell. While in Roswell, another son, Kyle, was added to his wonderful family. Later he was an instructor of automotive technology in the Texas prison system. He was a college instructor in education technology in the Texas prison system. He was a college instructor in education at Arizona State University and Western State College and finally an Associate Professor of Adult and Occupational Education at Kansas State University and Texas A&M. He was President of the National Commission for Adult Basic Education (COABE), secretary-treasurer of the Corrections Education Association and Adult and Continuing Education. (AEA)

In 1979, Al, his new wife Claire and son Kyle moved to a ranch in Robertson County after converting a hay barn into a comfortable home that they occupied 40 years. Ranching was a part time job for Al until he retired from professional teaching in 1990. Always interested in organizational activities, retirement allowed Al to join the Texas Silver Haired Legislature where he served for 27 years. He was elected to all the TSHL officer positions except speaker and was selected for the exclusive “emeritus” status. Al taught AARP driver safety classes for 25 years and was a member of the AARP State Executive Council. Al also served the Area Agency on Aging and was Chairman of the Advisory Council for 24 years. He was Sheriff of the Westerns Club in Bryan, Texas and active in the Texas Retired Teachers Association as local officer and member of the state Board of Directors. He was active in civic organizations during retirement including Lions, Senior Expo, and Hearne Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he qualified as a heavy equipment operator through Texas A&M extension with a specialty in motor graders. Al was a member of both VFW and American Legion.

Al and his wife Claire enjoyed traveling and they participated in 52 Road Scholar programs, 14 of them being international. Claire was a professional storyteller and they both worked several years at the Texas Renaissance Festival where Al managed a food booth. For the final 8 years Claire and Al shared an apartment at the Carriage Inn in Bryan, Texas. In retrospect, Al often reminded us that it was the support, encouragement and love provided by his first wife (Pat) and second wife (Claire) and four children along with a model for life and sense of security from his parents and help from family and many good friends that made it possible for him to have a wonderful life full of love, happiness, opportunity, contribution and experience.

IN THE CARE OF
Memorial Funeral Chapel