Curtis Campbell

Curtis Campbell (Papa), resident of Caledonia, Michigan, passed away at age 72 after his courageous battle with cancer.  He was born on March 14, 1954 in Deckerville, Michigan to Donald and Erma (Labor) Campbell. He graduated from Deckerville High School in 1972 and moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan where he met the love of his life Patty. They were married on July 14, 1979 and lived in Delton, Michigan. 

Curt is a Western Michigan University graduate and worked for IBM.  During his many years with IBM, he was given the opportunity to move to Houston, Texas and worked with a specialized team on the Glass Cockpit for NASA. When the contract was taken over by another company, IBM gave Curt the opportunity to move back to Grand Rapids, Michigan where he finished his IBM career. Curt has always been very involved in the communities where he lived i.e. Water District Board (El Lago, Texas), Duncan Lake Association, and Thornapple Township as a Trustee (Middleville, Michigan) making a difference for all of us that lived in those communities.  He also served on the Grand Rapids Sail and Power Squadron Board (boating club that teaches safe boating, something that is very near and dear to his heart).  

Curt loved spending time with family and friends, sharing a beverage and enjoying a conversation.  He loved being on our boat cruising the waterways of Michigan and our local Duncan Lake where he spent many hours with sons, Chris and Zach, teaching them how to ski, barefoot, and many other water sports, and they taught him a few tricks too.  When Curt wasn’t on the water he stayed busy remodeling each of the homes he lived in. He liked to say he “is 17 years into a 3-year project.”  Curt is one of those people you meet for the first time or you have known him for many years he was always willing to lend a hand. 

Curt is preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Erma (Labor) Campbell and will be deeply missed by his wife, Patty; sons, Christopher (Lexy Medina), Zachary; granddaughter, Islay; siblings, Dennis (Beverly) Campbell, Ruth (Robert) Barnes; nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews.

The family will be hosting a Celebration Open House for guest to share a meal and memories of Curt from 1 pm to 4 pm on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at the Caledonia American Legion Memorial Post 305​ 9548 Cherry Valley (M37) SE, Caledonia, MI 49316. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial donations be made to Thornapple Township, 200 E Main St. Middleville, MI 49333 - in the memo section of your check please list “In Memory of Curt Campbell”. Donations will be used for the beautification of Thornapple Township properties which was very important to Curt.