Jack Austin Campbell

Jack Austin Campbell, age 87, of Lambertville, MI passed away Wednesday March 20, 2024, at Kingston Care Center of Sylvania. He was born October 24, 1936, in Toledo to Austin K and Isabelle (Elden) Campbell. Jack retired from the Transportation Dept of Chrysler in 1992.

Jack’s parents must have discovered early on that they had an active child on their hands. Jack had no patience for the piano lessons his musical mother wanted him to take, preferring instead to work on cars and play sports. His Dad, a college athlete himself, was probably happy about that!

Jack was a 1954 graduate of DeVilbiss HS, Toledo, where he played football. His senior year, he was a member of the “Undefeated and Untied” 1953 City League football Championship team, who finally beat their archrivals, Libbey, after a 12-year drought. Jack continued his football career in college, playing for Ohio State and, what was then, Toledo University. He was a 3-time Letter winner at Toledo, co-captain of the 1960 squad, and a member of the Varsity T Club. Jack was selected by Cleveland (NFL) and Denver (AFL) in the 1960 draft, eventually signing with the Browns. Lifelong friendships were forged during those football years. “The group” have supported each other throughout their lives and, most importantly, enjoyed lots of UT games and traveling. As Jack’s children, we can’t express how grateful we are that Mom and Dad had friends like you!

Greater than Jack’s love of football, though, was his love of family. How fortunate we all are that Jack’s sister, Nancy (a Delta Gamma at BGSU at the time), introduced him to her sorority sister, Carol McEwen. Jack and Carol were married June 11, 1960, in Prout Chapel on the BGSU campus. Carol truly was the love of Jack’s life, and they were virtually inseparable until her passing in 2021. 

Family love was the centerpiece of Jack’s most favorite place, the cottage at Devils Lake. The history of the cottage dates back to Jack’s grandparents and has created many generations of lake lovers. As a small child, Jack’s aunts, uncles, and cousins were in the cottages on either side of the Campbell family place, a real “family beach”. They all grew up together around the water and brought their friends and eventual spouses to join in the traditions. Jack would share stories of his teenage and college years showing off his skiing prowess and encouraged his kids as soon as they were old enough. One of Dad’s favorite things was the dawn-to-dusk time he and brother-in-law Bill Gravius spent behind the wheel of the boat pulling all of the kids on skis, inner tubes (the real rubber ones) , kneeboards and the infamous “disk” (a round piece of plywood that skimmed across the top of the water but was extremely unforgiving if you dipped the front lip under!). Jack, Carol, Nancy, Bill, and Mom and Dad Campbell spent many happy evenings at the lake playing cards and laughing together, while the kids/grandkids pretended to be asleep upstairs (not very well!).

In addition to the youthful activities and family togetherness, the lake remained a driving force for Jack throughout his life. When asked by a physician what was important for him to accomplish during a difficult recuperation, he answered “get back to the lake”. The mission was clear – and his sons-in-law and grandsons designed and constructed sturdy steps to ensure he could physically make it down the steep hill to the water. Where there is a will, there’s a way…and he successfully navigated his way to the lake. Many holidays, birthdays, wedding or baby events, volleyball games, pontoon boat tours, campfire delights, dock-side parties or just floating in the water and talking to family and friends…all meant the world to Jack. His “lake family” held a special place in his heart, even if watching from the deck.

A planner and organizer (apt qualities for someone whose work required him to keep a production line supplied with parts), Jack was always up for a project or social gathering. He liked the logistics of it all. We’re sure many remember Jack’s famous pig roasts, which were way more about the social than the meat. Recalling one particular roast on a very windy day at the lake, Jack and Bill rigged up quite a contraption to keep the heat from blowing away…and the party was saved! On another occasion, Jack showed up at a neighbor’s house at 6:30 in the morning to prepare for a surprise birthday pig roast, waking the birthday boy with a rap on his bedroom window… “Can Vic come out and play?”

Fittingly, Jack was known for his larger-than-life presence, humor, and great storytelling. Ask those close to him about the Two Irishmen. Despite Jack’s propensity for athletic activities, he could actually carry a tune. His favorite moment to interject “Jeremiah was a bullfrog” in a bellowing voice was in the car...just after Carol had used her calm voice to settle the kids down.

As children, family, and friends, we all have been blessed to have Jack in our lives. We have so many memories to cherish.

To the staff at Oakleaf Village, thank you for the care and kindness you showed Dad while he was a resident. He very much appreciated the support your team provided, including visits and laughter during football season (Go Browns!).

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, wife Carol, sister Nancy Gravius, and brother-in- law Bill Gravius. Jack is survived and will be missed by his children, Laurie (Charles) Heid, Holly (Mark) Bristoll, Thomas (Jane) Campbell, Marcy (Richard) O’Loughin, and Michael (Angelina) Campbell, grandchildren Nathan, Alex, Kyle, Luke, Kevin, Keith, Conor, Amanda, Shane, Jacob, Seth and Lillian, as well as many cherished Campbell and McEwen nieces and nephews and their families and friends.                                                                                                                                  

Friends may visit at Reeb Funeral Home 5712 Main St. Sylvania, Ohio 43560 on Friday, April 19, 2024, from 4:00pm – 7:00pm and Saturday April 20 from 11:00am – 12:00pm. Funeral services will take place at Reeb on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 12:00pm.                                                                                                                                                           

 In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Varsity T Club (utrockets.com/vt or University of Toledo Athletics, 2801 W Bancroft St MS 302, Toledo, OH 43606, Attn: Zane Collier/Varsity T Club) or Lakes Preservation League (PO Box 246, Manitou Beach, MI 49253).  

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