Maurice Campbell

Maurice Deaun “Red” Campbell, 77, of Colby, died Tuesday, August 7, 2012, at Kaye Pogue Hospice of Salina, Kansas. He was born April 8, 1935 to Roy and Velma (Goebel) Campbell in Womer, KS. He received his elementary education in various one room country schools and was a 1953 graduate of Lebanon High School. He was awarded the State Farm Degree in FFA as well as other FFA awards. On June 22, 1958 he married the neighbor girl, Doris Miller, and to this union of 54 years a son and two daughters were born. He liked to tell how he had to wait for Doris to grow up, so while she finished high school, he worked as a mechanic on construction of the Webster Dam. The money he earned went to purchase a 1956 Ford Fairlane – the only new vehicle he ever owned – and a house in Smith Center to start married life with his bride. He was an employee of Stoller’s Conoco, and Bonecutter-Hill Chevrolet, in Smith Center, service manager for Ryder Truck Rental in Enterprise, KS; McPherson, KS and Oklahoma City, OK; Cummins Sales and Service, Colby Implement, Wagoner Brothers, and J & J Oil, all of Colby. Red had a winning personality and a sense of humor that was enjoyed by family and friends. He spent his entire adult life in service to others through his mechanical knowledge and abilities. Service to a customer was given any hour of the day or night in any kind of weather. His name was linked with good service above and beyond the call of duty and was known from coast to coast among people in the trucking industry. It was not uncommon for companies to tell their drivers to get the rig patched up enough to get it to Red and let him fix it right. On November 1, 2002 Red suffered a massive stroke. Through extensive rehab, determination and faith in God he was able to walk again. He felt that through surviving the stroke God had given him a second chance and he took Bible Studies via mail and read through the Bible more than once, memorizing Scripture. Red was able to putter in the garden and do minor jobs outside. He was an extensive reader of anything about John Deere, agriculture, and gardening. He had the uncanny ability to read an article and then retain in detail what he had read. Visitors were often regaled (willingly or unwillingly) with the complete life of John Deere and products, and Red’s trip to John Deere Headquarters in Moline, Illinois.
He was preceded in death by his parents and both brothers, Bernal (1959), and Morvel (2005); and a nephew, Johnny, (1961).
Red loved his family and will be missed by his loving wife Doris of the home; son Rodney, (Las Vegas); daughter Marlyce, (Quinter); daughter Virginia (Chris) Trundle (Colby); grandchildren Tyson and Austin Plumisto, Akaylah and Jacob Trundle all of Colby; sisters-in-law, Beverly Campbell (Hope), KS; Rose Doubrava (Ellsworth), KS; Ruby (Pete) Peters (Lincoln), KS; three nieces, five nephews, and a host of friends.
Visitation was 2 – 8 p.m., Friday, August 10, 2012 at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby. Funeral service was 11 a.m., Saturday, August 11, 2012 at Berean Church, Colby. Burial followed in Beulah Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Kaye Pogue Hospice of Salina, Kansas or Thomas County Foundation for Hope in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701.