Jack Redmond Campbell's Obituary
Jack Campbell Obituary
John Redmond Campbell, Jr., known by all as “Jack” passed peacefully Saturday, October 22, 2022 in Broken Arrow. He was 94 years old.
Jack was born in Hutchinson, Kansas on February 10, 1928. He was the only child of John R. and Ila Ferne Alderson Campbell. He went to Valley Pride School from 1st through 8th grades, in a single classroom with a single teacher, Miss Anderson, whom he admired for her patience, encouragement and love for teaching. He graduated Valedictorian from Hutchinson High in 1946 and Wichita University in 1951 (Now Wichita State). This is where he met and later married Barbara (Bobbie) Jeanne Dunlap on June 13, 1948 in her home town of Wellington, KS. From this union they had children Chris, Jeff and Conlee Campbell. Jack and Bobbie spent 63 wonderful years together prior to her passing December 12, 2011.
Jack got his start in radio while still in High School, due to a shortage of announcers caused by WWII. This made him quite popular at Hutchinson High. He continued his radio career in Wichita before receiving a major offer in 1955 to become host of the widely popular late night “Sleepwalkers Serenade” program at KVOO in Tulsa. There he was able to showcase many of his favorite big bands of the 40’s, such as Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, Stan Kenton, Nat King Cole, Oscar Peterson and Henry Mancini, to name a few. His love for Tulsa along with his trademark ability to get along with everyone had Jack and family establishing roots for a 39 year career at KVOO, where he became know for his soothing radio voice. While there he also hosted the long running Classical music show, “Pleasant Dreams”. His knowledge of sports and his gift for keeping meticulous statistics also opened doors for him to broadcast TU football and basketball throughout the 1960’s, as well as the Tulsa Oiler’s baseball games. Jack moved to the newsroom in 1971 and remained there until his retirement from KVOO in 1994. He was honored as a “Tulsa Radio Icon” in 2005.
Jack was kind and caring and lived his life giving to others. He taught his children to always treat others the way they wanted to be treated. Jack lived life as an example in accordance with the teachings of Jesus. He didn’t talk about his beliefs, unless you asked, but he lived them every day. He was an inspiration to all who knew him. During his retirement years, Jack stayed busy with his grand kids and great grand kids while volunteering for a host of charity organizations including Oasis Adult Daycare Center for Alzheimer’s patients, the League of Women Voters, and the Tulsa Interfaith Alliance. He is survived by his 3 children, 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Jack will be dearly missed by all who loved him.
Jack was greeted in heaven by his loving wife, family, friends, co-workers and even Mother Teresa (whom he interviewed while working at KVOO). What a wonderful and joyous reunion!
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Jack’s name to Neighbor for Neighbor, www.neighborforneighbor.org or Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless, www.tulsadaycenter.org. A Celebration of Life service will be held 1:00 PM, Saturday, November 5, 2022 at Bixby South Tulsa Funeral Service, Bixby.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Jack Redmond Campbell, please visit our Tree Store.
Read More
What’s your fondest memory of Jack?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jack?
Share a story where Jack's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jack you’ll never forget.
How did Jack make you smile?