Posted on 03/11/2019
Garry Waldron Campbell (JULY 30, 1943 – FEBRUARY 27, 2019)
Garry Campbell passed away at home on February 27, 2019 after a courageous 5 year battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)---a disease without treatment or cure. Garry fought this battle with his characteristic good nature and quiet strength. He was 75 years old.
Garry was born in South Gate, California, but his family moved frequently during WWII as his father, Joe, was a welder. The family ended up in Hot Springs, Arkansas. His Dad became a policeman and his mother a high school teacher. Garry has a sister, Susan, and two brothers, Joel and Dennis (deceased). As a child, Garry was a serious student but also a well rounded athlete. It was in elementary school that he started playing golf, his lifelong love. Graduating in 3 years from the local High School, Garry was given an academic scholarship to Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire where he graduated in 1960. College followed with acceptance to some prestigious Ivy League schools in the North East but he chose the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md. Besides the heavy academics and naval training, Garry was able to continue playing golf on the Varsity team helping them to beat Army on a number of occasions—a big deal at the academy. Throughout his life, Garry continued to play with his sons on courses in Ireland and Scotland as well as North Ranch for 30 years.
Garry graduated in 1965 as a 2nd Lieutenant and started his military career. After graduation, Garry headed to the prestigious Nuclear Power Submarine School in Connecticut headed by the notorious and feared Admiral Rickover. Needless to say, he didn’t like the program. He always said his punishment for leaving was being transferred to California. That was a turning point for him in his career. He became an Admiral’s Aide to Admiral Rudden who was responsible for the entire cruiser and destroyer fleet in Vietnam. But he also met his wife, Lynn, during that time (on a blind date!) and got engaged (on the second date!!). After a 7 month tour and now a 1st Lieutenant, he returned to Long Beach, resigned his commission and married Lynn in 1969. Garry and Lynn celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this year.
In 1970, Garry was a full-fledged civilian. He immersed himself in the world of real estate and finance. By chance he met and partnered with some of the top developers in Newport Beach and LA. As his career evolved, he began to spend more time in Hotel and Resort financing when he started his own company, Hotel Financial, in 2000. Today, Garry is still highly regarded in that business and is remembered for his integrity, intelligence and demeanor.
Garry and Lynn have raised four children—Craig, Shawn, Todd and Erin. They have been in Westlake Village since 1981. All the kids graduated from Westlake High School and went on to college at USC or Stanford. They are also blessed with nine grandchildren—the newest little Emma born the day before her grandfather passed. Over the years, the family created many lasting memories with trips to Lake Arrowhead where they owned a cabin for 20 years, Europe, Hawaii and many Naval Academy reunions on the East Coast. They had memorable celebrations at their home in North Ranch for kids, parents and grandparents, Christmas parties and Weddings. And in the midst of all that were the wonderful family dogs—9 in all. In the middle of all of this, Garry also launched Lynn and her mother in their own design business—Lushar Interior Design. Lynn has been helping people for 40 years.
Garry is survived by his wife, Lynn, his brother Joel and sister Susan and his children and their spouses: Craig (Tisha), Shawn (Deena), Todd (Natalie), and Erin (Jon) and his beloved grandchildren: Sophia, Chasen, Isabella, Jonah, Marie, Brendan, Grant, Ethan and baby Emma (born 2-26-19).
In lieu of flowers we ask that you please to donate to CurePSP: https://www.psp.org/iwanttohelp/ https://www.psp.org/iwanttolearn/progressive-supranuclear-palsy/
Valley Oaks-Griffin Memorial Park, Mortuary & Crematory
Westlake Village, CA
818-889-0902
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/westlake-village-ca/garry-campbell-8189238