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Edward Campbell, Sr.


 

 

Beloved patriarch, accomplished businessman, cattle rancher and visionary, Edward Earl Campbell, Sr., passed away on April 1, 2021 in San Jose, Calif.

Edward came into the world on July 19, 1940, as the fourth of seven children born to Effie Jewel Kennon of Yoakum, Texas, and Elisha Campbell, Sr., in San Antonio, Texas. There were three additional children born after his parents had divorced.

Despite being the first child of his family to attend desegregated schools, Edward chose to drop out of high school in the 10th grade. Edward immediately decided to marry his high school sweetheart, Samella Dixon, in 1958. Following the birth of their oldest two children they headed to Berkeley, Calif. and later relocated to East Palo Alto.

Edward, remaining determined to provide for his young family, regretfully chose to abandon his dreams of becoming an attorney. He instead settled for immediate employment at the veterans hospital as a janitor. It had a galvanizing effect upon his quiet resolve to become successful in life.

He worked for a short time as a machinist at Beckman Instruments. Edward purchased his first home in the East Bay at the age of 19. He also managed to assume the loans of two other single family residences. It proved to become a very smart investment strategy of investing money that he earned by cleaning construction sites and working in his first business, a janitorial company that he later gave to his father.

After being turned down for a promotion several times, Edward decided to go to school at night in order to earn a real estate broker license.

He later went on to establish and control one of the largest individual African American real estate companies in the state of California.

In 1968, the Campbells moved to a home in San Jose that he purchased for his young family of four children, who survive him today, including Patrice Lenelle Campbell, Edward Earl Campbell, Jr., Dwayne Adam Campbell, Sr. and Roland Bernard, Sr.

After 14 years of marriage, Samella and Edward divorced in 1973. Edward remarried briefly, twice, remaining a bachelor until the end.

Edward is also survived by six later children including Leticia Michelle Campbell, Rodney Earl Campbell, Michael C. Campbell, Sr., Barron B. Campbell, Mark F. Campbell and Villi E. Campbell.

In 1984, he earned a general contractor license and later on completed his own 4,000 square foot custom ranch house. He financed and managed the construction of the commercial retail space as his third gas station and liquor store on Road 600 in Lake Madera Estates. He sold the building in recent years and it is now known as Sonny’s Market.

Among his long list of accomplishments, Edward built a 50-room hotel in Chowchilla, and built and purchased several other liquor stores and gas stations in Madera. He built a mini-storage, a U-Haul rental company, a True Value Hardware store, tack and feed store, real estate offices, Perko’s Café and an untold number of residential rentals up and down the Golden State.

In 1984, Edward increased his real estate holdings to include a 2,000 acre cattle ranch in the foothills of Eastern Madera County, which he proudly proclaimed The Lazy E Ranch.

Ranching became a relaxing pleasure that Edward experienced with his large family and host of relatives. Each summer, family tradition would include barbecue grilling, domino-playing and festivities that included horseshoe throwing with friends, family and neighbors, as well.

Edward was the true master of his own dreams, and an absolute visionary who inspired and guided countless young people into rewarding real estate and insurance sales careers.

He was a great father to all 10 of his children and countless others who wished that he was their father. In addition to his children, Edward leaves behind 35 cherished grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Our entire family is comforted knowing that our father was both revered and loved.

He was proudly carried to his final resting by horse-drawn carriage after a vocalist sang his favorite standard, Frank Sinatra’s song, “My Way.”

His eldest son, Edward E. Campbell, Jr., aka Beau, and younger brother Michael C. Campbell, Sr., chose to follow in their late father’s footsteps. Beau currently operates The Lazy E Ranch under the same brand, determination and vision, currently known as The Lonesome E Cattle Company. Beau is an established land developer, licensed general contractor and licensed real estate broker. Each of the sons plans to continue to grow and diversify their portions of their father’s estate.

Edward E. Campbell, Sr. was laid to rest at Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose on April 27, 2021. He will be missed more than words can say.

16 responses to “Edward Campbell, Sr.”

  1. chuck mccoy says:

    I am indeed impressed by such a person of character who did accomplish so much in a time where that ….may…. have been more difficult. Thank you for the information. He left quite a wonderful legacy for his family and many others.

    • Edward E Campbell, Jr. says:

      Thank you for your kind words sir. My father was an inspiration to all and example of how your dreams could be accomplished without anything at all. Once Upon A time In America.

      Beau Campbell

  2. Ron Sweeney says:

    Truly a remarkable man and an inspiration. The world sure could use more Edward Campbells. If there were more, it would certainly be a better place today. I offer my belated condolences to the family of Mr. Campbell.

  3. Craig lehigh says:

    Wow, what an accomplished man he was!
    All there is to it, is to ,DO IT!

    • Edward E Campbell, Jr. says:

      Exactly ! He was about getting things done and he never accept no as an answer nor solution.

      Beau Campbell

  4. Paula Herold says:

    HE lived the American Dream! He used his God Given Gifts and made the world a better place.

  5. Mike: I love your newsletters, and especially enjoyed the story about Edward Earl Campbell, Sr.

    Thanks for your insightful comments and great sense of humor.

    Barbara Neff

  6. Kevin says:

    Tears in my eyes, good man. Wish he was my father.

    • EDWARD E. CAMPBELL, JR. “BEAU” says:

      Had you met him in life he would have taken you under his wings. He taught us all a lot in his short time. I dare to dream and sometimes my dreams frighten me. Thats how I know that I headed the right direction. “We Were Once Kings”

  7. William Rance Ranney says:

    Amen!

  8. Matt says:

    What a great life story about overcoming long odds and hardship. Not becoming an attorney was probably the best thing that didn’t happen to Edward. His want to attitude allowed him to gain lots of good skills and it certainly paid off. He will be missed.

    • EDWARD E. CAMPBELL, JR. “BEAU” says:

      He was really something to see. A man to remember, to me he was just Dad. Love him and miss him.

  9. S.T. Parker says:

    Mann, God Bless Mr. Campbell. I had no idea he had passed away so long ago. He was really good friends with my late grandfather. Their stories when they got together….sheesh! In 2000 Mr. Campbell inspired me to get into the RE business and I worked for him for some time in EPA and San Jose. He was and is an inspiration and far more African American folks should know about this man and his legacy. A book should be written about his life. I wish I would have kept in touch, I would have most certainly attended his service.

    • EDWARD E. CAMPBELL, JR. “BEAU” says:

      Im sorry that you missed his going home service. It was held in San Jose California. It was during the covid outbreak, so we did not publicize it at all. Mostly family and close friends were present. My father inspired me to get my real estate license by challenging me to study as hard as I played basketball. Once I obtained my real estate license, I got a general contractor’s license as well and became a real estate developer as well. Many of the buildings, I stood side by side with my father over the past 45 years. Thank you for your heartfelt words and fond “Memories Of My Father”

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