Lt. Col. Ralph H. Campbell, US Army Retired, formerly of Knoxville, TN, passed from this life to life everlasting on February 9, 2017 in Florence AL. Twice widowed, he is preceded in death by his first wife Betty J. Campbell and his second wife Dieta E. Campbell. He is survived by his children Lt Col (ret’d) Terrence C. and Debra R. Campbell of Stuarts Draft, VA and Cheryl C McAnalley of Florence, AL; three grand children Jared B. Campbell of Sterling, VA, Joshua M. and Heidi Campbell of Chapel Hill, NC and Tara C. Bigbie of Evans, GA; and four great-grand daughters. He is also survived by his sisters; Lillian Dalton of Scottsboro, AL and Maxine Bittinger of Boaz, AL.
Lt Col Campbell was a veteran of WW II, the Korean Conflict, the Viet Nam Conflict and the Cold War. Following his retirement from the Army his passion became sailing. He completed every course offered by the Power Squadron and he and Dieta frequently signed on to crew sail boats between the Caribbean Islands and the mainland. He was often the only navigator aboard.
He was also an accomplished singer with a wry sense of humor. He often regaled any audience with humorous, and sometimes ribald, ditties while telling delightful stories to the enjoyment of all who heard him.
His crowning achievement though was managing the pain of the loss of his young wife while simultaneously rearing two small children to be strong, self-sustaining adults. He was fortunate to have found love and happiness again with his second wife of 50 years before losing her to cancer and enduring the pain of having lost two women he loved dearly.
His funeral service will be at Chattanooga National Cemetery on Friday, February 24, 2017, at 3 PM.
Rest in peace Dad. We love you.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation in the memory of Lt Col Ralph H. Campbell to: Cancer Research Institute, One Exchange Plaza, 55 Broadway, Suite 1802, New York, NY 10006
You are invited to leave condolences at www.elkinsfuneralhome.com.
