1948 - 2026
Larry Neal Campbell, 78 of Arkansas City, Kansas passed away on July 8, 2026, at William Newton Hospital in Winfield, KS. surrounded by his family and friends.
Larry was born on June 2, 1948, in Eunice, New Mexico to Royce Campbell and Joan (Ward) Campbell. Because Royce worked for Cities Service (later known as CITGO) the family moved often. While most of the locations were within the region of Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico, the location that was most beloved and the most formative was when the family lived near Bogotá, Colombia, South America. Attending class in a one-room school gave him a love of reading and playing in the jungle fostered a love of nature and wildlife that remained a theme throughout his life.
The family eventually settled in Guymon, Oklahoma where Larry attended high school, playing cello and bass in the school’s orchestra. Larry took an after-school job in the meat department at Tri-State Supermarket, where he learned to be a butcher which became very important in his career after graduating high school in 1967. Larry also developed a friendship during this time with a classmate that would prove to be pivotal for the rest of his life. You see, his friend Mark had a kid sister. For the next two years, Mark and Larry attended classes at Oklahoma Panhandle State University and frequently went hunting and fishing together and Larry became a regular fixture at Mark’s family’s home. Then, in 1969, Cupid showed up. Mark’s kid sister became the love of Larry’s life and the two married on May 29, 1971. Both Susan and Larry worked at Ideal Supermarket in Guymon while Larry continued to attend classes at Oklahoma Panhandle State University graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1972. Larry participated in ROTC while at OPSU becoming a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Reserves. During this time, they welcomed the first of seven children that they would raise together.
Larry worked as butcher for Ideal grocery chain in Guymon and later in Ulysses, KS. In 1977, Larry went to work for Cities Service (later known as Occidental) until 1994. In 1996, Larry became a USDA meat inspector and in 2001, the family moved to Arkansas City, KS. Larry retired from FSIS in 2014.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents Royce and Joan Campbell. He is survived by his beloved wife Susan, of 55 years, children- Terry Neal Campbell (Donna) of Manchester, TN, Shannon Maxwell (Michael) Paola, KS, Brandy Stallman (John) Lenexa, KS, Maleka Noyes, El Reno, OK, Tehya Coffey, Arkansas City, KS, Tobias Coffey, Wichita, KS, Titus Coffey Arkansas City, KS., grandchildren – Kyle Campbell, San Angelo, TX, Kristin Campbell Nashville, TN, Keith Campbell Morrison, TN, Elizabeth Maxwell, KS. City, MO., Zachary Maxwell Osawatamie, KS., Carlye Campbell Donnell Lenexa, KS., and Mandee Stallman Lenexa, KS., four great-grandchildren- Katana, Kihanna, Ke Anthony Campbell and Everest Donnell. One sister Loretta Ault of Austin, TX. and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
It isn’t enough to list his education, jobs and accomplishments. To really know Larry, one must know that he had steady love and devotion to his friends and family. His friendships, such as with Terry Chapman, spanned decades and included many adventures and perhaps some mischief. His family, both immediate and extended, knew him as someone they could turn to in times of trouble and of joy. He enjoyed reading, hunting, fishing, camping, going to auctions and collecting antique cigarette lighters and tobacco memorabilia. His perfect moment would be sitting in a comfortable camping chair at the edge of a lake, Louis L’Amour book to read, fishing line in the water, a cup of coffee at his side, the smell of a campfire and the sound of his family laughing a short distance away.
Cremation has been chosen with a memorial planned for a later date.
