Colonel Philip Leslie Campbell

Colonel Philip Leslie Campbell, USA Retired, passed away on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at the age of 73, with his wife of 52 years, Patricia (Patsy) Quintas Campbell, by his side. He is also survived by his daughter, Sarah and granddaughters Delancey and Evienne of Miami Beach, FL;  his son, Joseph and wife, Leigh and grandsons Joseph and Connor of San Antonio, TX.  He is also survived by his brothers, Dale Campbell of Louisville, KY and Scott Campbell of Tucson, AZ. Preceded in death by his father and mother, Clark Fremont Campbell and Thelma Lightner Campbell, of Lansing, MI; and his sister, Marcia Campbell Brayton of Big Rapids, MI.

Phil spent his early years in Ohio and graduated from high school in Lansing, MI.  He was drafted into the US Army during the Vietnam War and was sent to Germany, where he met his future bride who was working for the Department of Defense. They were married in New Orleans and Phil went back to study in college.  He graduated from the University of New Orleans and was cross-enrolled at Tulane University for ROTC.  He was commissioned into the Transportation Corps and began his Army career as an officer in Germany.

Colonel Campbell served as a Platoon Leader in Germany; Company Commander in Ft. Eustis, VA; Reserves Advisor in FL; Battalion Staff Operations and Training Officer and as a Logistics Officer at Camp Casey, Korea; Personnel Command, VA; Joint Interagency Drug Task Force South, Key West, FL;  and in the Military Sealift Command, Washington, DC.

He ultimately served as the Brigade Commander of Military Traffic Management Command (MTMC) Pacific at Wheeler AFB, Hawaii, after serving as Battalion Commander of MTMC Terminal Yokohama, Japan (North Dock). He also had the honor of representing the US Army at President Reagan's Second Inauguration as a logistics advisor.

He earned a Masters in Business Administration from Boston University and attended several military schools, including the following:  Command and General Staff College, Logistics Executive Development, Naval War College, Industrial College of the Armed Forces and Air Assault School.  

His military decorations include: Defense Superior Service Medal (2nd Award), Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award), Meritorious Service Medal (3rd Award), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal , (2nd Award), Joint Meritorious Unit Award (2nd Award),  Army Superior Unit Award,  American Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (5th Award) and the Air Assault Badge.

Phil retired from the US Army after 32 years, then worked as a contractor in Washington, DC; most notably as a consultant with the Department of the Navy.

He and Patsy lived near the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and enjoyed sailing on their Island Packet, the Marisol. Phil's great love was sailing and racing sailboats. Moving back to New Orleans in 2015 gave him another love, City Park. He volunteered regularly at the park, loving every minute of the hard work for Celebration in the Oaks and in the Couturie Forest.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service at 12:15 PM on Saturday, October 17, 2020 in the J. Garlic Schoen Chapel of JACOB SCHOEN & SON FUNERAL HOME, 3827 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119. Visitation will begin at 10:30 AM. Inurnment will take place in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please practice social distancing and wear a mask.

In lieu of flowers, we hope you will consider a donation to New Orleans City Park where he was an active and beloved volunteer. A memorial bench with a plaque will be constructed in an area of the park where he spent the most time tending the gardens and where he assisted volunteer groups with their service and plantings. To donate, please go to https://www.friendsofcitypark.com/in-memory-of-philip-campbell/.

Click here to view a webcast of the service on 10/17/2020 at 12:10 PM, Central Standard Time.