John O. Campbell Jr., 74, of Cedar Rapids, died at his home Thursday evening, July 12, 2012. Celebration of Life Services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday at Papich-Kuba Janeba Chapel West, 1604 "J" Street S.W. by Rev. Darran Whiting, Hospice of Mercy. Burial will be held at a later date at Czech National Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral chapel.
John is survived by his wife of 44 years, Ellen "Pat", seven daughters, Tonda (Mike) DeSotel, Penny (Kim) Dake, Angie Mangum, Tammy, Amy, Mary and Kiara Campbell, five sons, Bill (Joann) Murphy, Art, Rob, Kevin (Christy) and Jordan Campbell and many, many foster children, also a sister, Marilyn Lynch.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ed, two sons Johnny and Chris and a very close family friend Judy Hudson.
John was born September 7, 1937 in Cedar Rapids to John and Fern Campbell. John's father later died and his mother married Arthur Schinker. John served in the Air Force for 4 years and then worked for the Cedar Rapids Police Force for several years. He had worked for National Oats (now Ralston Foods) for 40 years until his retirement. John was a member of the Troy Mills Volunteer Fire Department.
Military honors will be conducted by American Legion Post 727.
A memorial fund has been established.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.papich-kubafs.com under "obituaries".