Campbell, Thomas Ray's Obituary
Thomas Ray Campbell was born January 26,1940, in Wichita Falls, Texas to John Douglas Campbell and Nellie Owens Campbell. He was the youngest of four children and the only boy. He enjoyed a very close relationship with each of his three sisters, Dorothy Nell, Patricia Louise, and Mary Frances. He is survived by his beloved wife Rebecca Campbell, son Christopher Campbell and Jessica Pulley, daughter Lindsey Macnamara and husband Matthew, and four precious grandsons, Decklan, Brekkin, Weston, and little Oren. Other surviving family members are his sister Frances Knox, niece Stacey Hatten and husband Gary, nephew David Wooldridge and wife Lana, nephew Steve Todd, Donna Wooldridge, and Jimmie Schroeder, cousin.
Tom attended Midwestern State University and later transferred and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business from East Texas State University, now under the Texas A&M University System. Tom was known for his strong work ethic, love of family and friends, and respect for his country. For 20 years, the military was a huge part of his life serving in the National Guard, US Army Reserve, and active duty. His time as a military officer changed his life and molded him into the individual he became as an adult.
His time as a military officer changed his life and molded him into the individual he became as an adult. His national Guard unit was in Wichita Falls, Texas in Field Artillery. He received the Meritorious Services Medal as a Major, Field Artillery in the United States Army Reserve.
Tom’s work history included working at 1) Texas Instruments, Inc. as a manufacturing engineer for the Defense Group, Guided Missiles, 2) Director of Manufacturing for VMX, Inc., 3) Director of Purchasing and Materials Management for Nortel, and 4) Sr. Manager for Andersen Consulting as Director of Factory of the Future at the Infomart. He later formed his own company, Campbell & Associates, as a consulting firm specializing in Materials Management and Operations. He ended his working career as Director of Marketing and Sales for Chambrel Club Hill Senior Living, and later joined Garland ISD as Supervisor Personnel Safety and Training for the Transportation Department.
A big part of Tom’s life was being a member of a professional society: American Production & Inventory Society known as APICS, a society that fosters the education of Materials and Operations management in area of production operations. He was classified as certified instructor for the Society and taught certification classes for the local chapter for 15+ years.
While he was at GISD Transportation, he placed 2nd or won the BUS Roadeo three years in succession, and was head judge for six years for Region 10 &11 Road-eo events. He was also a past president of NTAPT, a professional transportation society.
Tom loved sports and played basketball in high school. As an adult he refereed high school basketball and some college games. He also loved baseball and pitched on a softball team. He loved coaching little league baseball and coached our son Chris to excel in the sport as a pitcher and first baseman.
What’s your fondest memory of Thomas?
What’s a lesson you learned from Thomas?
Share a story where Thomas' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Thomas you’ll never forget.
How did Thomas make you smile?