Gary Campbell Obituary, Death – Gary Lee Campbell, 60, of Oregonia and a lifelong Warren County citizen, died at home on Thursday, May 11, 2023, surrounded by his family. Gary graduated in 1981 from Lebanon High School and the Warren County Career Center. He was a hardworking businessman who was enthusiastic about his profession.
After 39 years with Buchanan Power Equipment, he took the opportunity to establish Miami Valley Power Equipment in Corwin in 2019. Until his death, he was the firm’s proud owner and operator. He was involved in the Warren County community and was a member of various organizations. He was a past president of the Lebanon Rotary Club, a member of the Lebanon Masonic Lodge #26, and the Warren County Farm Bureau’s vice president. He also served on the Lebanon Youth Baseball and Softball Association and the Lebanon High School Athletic Boosters boards. He was inducted into the Warren County Career Center Alumni Hall of Fame. In Lebanon, he attended the 4U Cowboy Gathering Church.
He used to show dairy cattle in the 4-H program at the Warren County Fair when he was younger. He also enjoyed competing in the Demolition Derby. He enjoyed teaching softball to his daughters after starting a family. He began to enjoy the pleasure that deer season brought him as he grew older. He was recognized as a gentleman who would do anything for anyone, as one of the most easygoing, kind, and selfless people you could ever meet. He enjoyed being a family guy and treasured the time he spent with his loved ones. Boating on Lake Cumberland was one of his favorite pastimes.
His family and several friends made going to the lake to have fun and relax a 4th of July tradition. He also made Christmas memorable for his family by insisting on viewing his favorite movie, Christmas Vacation, every night from Thanksgiving until Christmas. He was always a Christmas present surprise for the girls. He also liked to cook in the kitchen, and he was an amazing cook. His family even dubbed him the “Swedish Chef.” He accumulated vintage tractors and John Deere artifacts over the years. He was also a passionate NASCAR enthusiast. He will be remembered as a proud businessman as well as a loving husband, father, papaw, son, and brother.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ron Campbell, and one brother, Brett Campbell. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Anita (Hutt), two daughters, Christine Baker (Sean Haver) and Bethany (AJ) Schappacher, two granddaughters, Madysen Baker and Reagan Schappacher, his mother, Nancy Campbell (Buchanan), and one brother, Ron Campbell. The Warren County Event Center at the Lebanon Fairgrounds will be open to the public on Friday, May 19, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The memorial service will take place at the Event Center on Friday at 1 p.m.
The services will be presided over by Sam Garner. Following that, a private grave service will be performed at Corwin’s Miami Cemetery. The family is being assisted by Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville. Donations to the Catch-a-Dream Foundation, www.catchadream.org/inmemory/, may be made in place of flowers. Please keep in mind that this is being done in Gary Campbell’s memory. In Gary’s memory, the family is donating chemotherapy treatment packs to local cancer patients. Donations in cash can be made at any People’s Bank branch under the account name Gary’s Gift.
