Leroy Campbell

SOUTH BEND - Mr. Leroy Campbell departed from this life on January 1, 2024. Leroy was born in Oxford, MS, to the union of Louise Lawshee and Curley Campbell on November 6, 1938.

Leroy accepted Christ at an early age and united with Saint John Missionary Baptist Church. After leaving South Bend Central High School in 1957 to serve in the United States Army, Leroy received orders to go to Fort Gordon, GA. Here, he was enrolled at the Southeastern Signal School in communication center operation course 721 and completed it. Leroy was then ordered to be sent to Korea to HQ signal BN as a teletype. He received secret clearance to complete this. From 1958 to 1959, with about six months remaining on his enlistment, Leroy received orders to go to the state of Arizona. In Arizona, Leroy became a part of the 404th Signal Company Regimen of Fort Huachuca, AZ. Leroy took training to become a lifeguard. Not only did Leroy become a lifeguard but he also became a swimming instructor to younger student cadets. He was also on the company basketball team. Here they regularly played against small colleges and were spotlighted on the radio.

After Leroy’s enlistment ended with the United States Army, he was employed with Studebaker from 1959-1960. He furthered his education by returning to school to become a tool and die designer from 1960-1961. Leroy was unable to complete his course work because he was drafted back in the army to serve his country again during the Berlin Crisis from 1961-1962. It was not until December 20, 1963, that Leroy obtained from the state of Indiana’s Military Achievement Test diploma from South Bend Central High School. From 1963-1968, Leroy worked for Clank Equipment Company in Buchanan, MI. He was employed as a machinist on four machines to complete brake shoes for airplanes. He wrote a proposal on the four machines that he operated to be merged as one machine. His proposal was accepted and was the highest paid in Clark Equipment history. He secured himself a 3% yearly earning from the machines, something unheard of during this time. While employed there, Leroy became a social activist. Leroy made a complaint against Clark Credit Union. He walked through the Clark Company and asked all the Black workers to meet in front of the Human Resource Office at noon. He did not think anyone would show, but to his surprise, about 60 of his Black coworkers showed up. The Human Resource person called the sheriff because he thought there would be a riot. The sheriff came and pulled his gun, asking who started the event. Leroy was asked to select one person to help write a formal complaint, saying Credit Union staff had an attitude problem and asked to hire a Black person to staff with no limits on draw money. There was an inability for black people to buy a car, home, or other items without a white person cosigning for everything. Clark Equipment Union’s manager was so impressed with Leroy that he offered him a position, but Leroy declined their offer.

Leroy resided in California for approximately 32 years from 1969-2002. During this time, he had an impressive career. He was employed by Continental Graphics in Culver City, CA as an IPC Writer Coordinator for 12 years. Leroy was also employed with Hughes Aircraft in Long Beach, CA, as an Engineer Level 1 with secret clearance for five years. He was also employed with McDonnell Douglas in Long Beach, CA, as Technical Publications Writer Engineer for five years. Leroy’s manager from McDonnell Douglas received a call from Hughes Aircraft requesting that Leroy come back to take the New Navy Program in the house, Leroy declined. His manager then received an additional call, this time from Boeing Co., requesting that Leroy come aboard as a project leader over all provisioning, Leroy agreed.

Leroy came into Boeing Company, Wardlow Road, Long Beach, CA, as a new project lead over provisioning. The director, J.A. Kappmeier, came into Leroy’s office to express his dire need to ensure that the new program is successful. “The new program has been here for over a year, nothing has worked. I will lose my job.” Leroy replied, “Everything will be fine.” Leroy kept his word, worked hard and ensured that the new program was in fact successful. Provisioning influences have twenty-four sources, all engineers, and other sources. They go through provisioning for processing and finalization. Leroy helped both departments to finalize and finish products on a dish.

This department has three-one star generals and staff for the Air Force, Navy and Army program to complete many dishes for a finished product for the first time out the door. Boeing Company paid for Leroy to return to school. Leroy would attend Cerrito College in Norwalk, CA, and has completed Introduction to Logistics MMB 70. He would also receive a two Frontline Leadership Core Completion by the Boeing Company and graduate with a Master’s degree in engineering. Leroy would remain employed with Boeing Company for ten years until his retirement. The Boeing Company merged and purchased Continental Graphics, Hughes Aircraft and McDonnell Douglas.

Leroy received several awards for accomplishments over the course of his career for his hard work and dedication. During his employment with the Boeing Company, Leroy received several certificates honoring him. The first certificate presented to Leroy was a certificate of appreciation for his valued service with Boeing Company, signed by Phil Condit, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The second was a “Gold Sticker” Service Award presented in appreciation of ten years of valued service with the Boeing Company. This award was also signed by Phil Condit, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Harry Stonecipher, President and Chief Operating Officer. The third award was a “Gold Sticker for Teamwork. Leroy received this certificate of recognition for being a member of a “Stage-Four High Performance Work Team” with the provisioning team. This certificate was signed by Ed Schaniel, Director Employee Involvement and J. Romen, Director of Supply Support.

Leroy received the “We Congratulate Leroy Campbell Award” for five years of dedicated service to McDonnell Douglas from McDonnell Douglas. Leroy was also presented with a certificate of appreciation for teamwork leading to quality improvement of the AMCPAC logistics Team which was signed by the support systems director.

Leroy leaves to cherish his loving memory, two daughters, Paula (Campbell) Freeman and Rhonda Campbell; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. James and Jane McEwen Jr, Mona and Tony (McEwen) Pervine, Clarence Taylor; twins; Ron and Tammy and Don Walls, along with a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louise Lawshee and Curley Campbell; stepfather, Anthony Gulley, grandson, Langston Campbell Palmer; ex-wife, Sheila (Harris) Campbell; stepson Ricky Harris; brothers James McEwen and Commie Walls; niece, the late Monice Alex (McEwen) Flewellen and a nephew, the late Tony Walls Jr.