There will be one less funny fellow telling stories at the kitchen table. Lymphoma may have claimed his life at 87, but laughter is his lasting legacy. This “all around nice guy” grew from a grinning red-headed boy born in New Albany, IN to serve in the Air Force and then settle down as an optician at Monfried Optical in Lexington, KY with his wife, Betty. They joyously adopted their daughter, Pam, and Gordon raised her with the motto, “Go to college and be sure to get a job!” Widowed in 1976, he rediscovered his joy in flying by owning a Cessna. He started his own business, Southland Optical. He loved being “Poppy” to Emily and Rosie, nearly wearing out I-75 driving to Chelsea, MI to visit. After a stint at Simpson Optical, he retired to Chelsea. He joined his son-in-law, Paul, in his quest of growing lots and LOTS of trees. He was an early morning fixture at McDonalds, enjoying breakfast with friends.
His ashes will be buried in the Campbell family plot in New Albany in 2019 at a family reunion to celebrate the lives of Gordon and his six siblings. Date/time TBD. Memorial contributions can be made to the Yankee Air Museum (c/o to Yankee Air Museum, however, please mail contributions to Cole Funeral Chapel, 214 East Middle Street, Chelsea, MI 48118).