John Sargent Campbell

John was born on March 21, 1925, in El Paso, TX, second of three sons born to Clark Adair Campbell and Jane Elizabeth Croff. His parents eventually separated, and he went to Virden, NM, to live with a very special family, his Aunt Maude and Uncle George Hatch. He was a part of that family until age twelve, at which time he and his brother Pierce rejoined his mother in Salt Lake City, UT. John graduated from West High School in Salt Lake, during which time he participated in the ROTC program, earning the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. In his last year of high school, he met and fell in love with Ila Corbridge, his wife to be. Like many others, they were separated by WWII and spent the next 3½ years corresponding while he served aboard submarines in the US Navy throughout the duration of the war. He was involved in numerous battles in the Pacific and was a gallant patriot and defender of his country. He was deeply mindful that many from both sides of the conflict did not survive, but he was privileged to come home without injury or harm. John married Ila in the Logan LDS Temple on February 25, 1946. The Campbells began civilian life in Preston, ID, where all of their children were born. It was here that John was introduced to the heating and air conditioning business, and he has been in that business ever since. John and Ila lived for a time in Soda Springs, ID, moved to Green River, WY, then to Twin Falls in 1958, where John has since resided. He worked for Brizee Heating & Air Conditioning for 15 years, retired from Intermountain Gas Company in 1991, then owned his own business, Campbell Refrigeration, until he truly retired at 83. John has been an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many capacities. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Service was the hallmark of his life, and he was happiest when he was helping others. John's sweetheart Ila died on October 16, 2003. In March of 2008 he married his second wife, Martha Bates. They enjoyed dancing and working side by side, completing projects on their home, until she passed away in July of 2010. John is survived by four children, Jonnie (Clark) Johnson of Centerville, UT; Ilene Thompson of Hagerman, ID; Neal J. (Leslie) Campbell of Olympia, WA; and Laurie Campbell of Salt Lake City, UT; 15 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and a half-sister, Jessie Harrington of Salt Lake City, UT. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wives, brothers Clark Adair Jr. and Arwell Pierce Campbell, and a half-sister Elizabeth Jane (Ann) Howe. The service for John will be conducted in Twin Falls at 10:00 am Wednesday, April 27, 2011, at the 4th Ward LDS Chapel, 667 Harrison Street, with Bishop David Tarkalson conducting. Interment will follow at 4:00 pm in the Preston Cemetery, Preston, ID. Friends may call from 6:00-8:00 pm Tuesday at White Mortuary, 136 4th Ave. E., and from 9:00-9:45 am Wednesday at the church. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW.org) or the LDS Perpetual Education Fund. To share a memory of John or offer condolences to John's family please visit www.whitemortuary.com.John Sargent Campbell, 86, died peacefully at his home in Twin Falls on Thursday, April 21, 2011.