Chad Campbell Passes Away

 A dear man in our ward passed away from cancer.  I attended his funeral (Ken was out of town.)  He and his wife raised 12 children.  It was a HUGE funeral with all of his posterity, extended family and friends that he has gathered along his life path because Chad was a very friendly, outgoing guy.  He will be greatly missed.  His daughter Tawnja and her husband moved to St. George and lived with them to help care for her ailing father.  We love Tawnja and Jonathan and are afraid they will be leaving the ward soon.  That is another great loss added to his.  

Sept. 7, 1945 - March 21, 2025

Larry Chad Campbell, the world’s greatest Papa, whistled his way back into the arms of our loving Savior on March 21, 2025. We imagine Papa encircled by heavenly hosts who welcomed him with a standing ovation for all the selfless service he rendered throughout his life.

Chad passed away at the age of 79 in Santa Clara, Utah, surrounded by many of his family members. Chad, affectionately known as “Papa” to his children and “Chaddy” to his dear wife, was brave, cheerful and strong, and his heart was full right up until the day he passed. His focus was always for the well-being of his children, but especially for his eternal sweetheart, Verlayne.

Chad was born on Sept. 7, 1945, in American Fork, Utah, to Nephi and Elaine Campbell. He was the third of six children.

While in high school, Chad worked at Hinton’s Charbroiler as a cook and busboy. One day, Verlayne walked through the doors, and it was love at first sight! They dated and fell in love and married on May 29, 1964. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on Aug. 8, 1967.

Chad is the proud father of nine daughters and three sons. He worked hard to provide for them, sometimes holding multiple jobs at a time. He worked as a manager at Deseret Industries for many years and was well-loved by all who worked with him. His grandchildren have many fond memories of visiting “Grandpa’s D.I.” and hearing about what a good boss he was.

Chad and Verlayne lived in many different places in Utah, California and Idaho during their life together. Most recently, they have loved living in St. George, Utah. Chad has made friends everywhere he went, and leaves behind many who will miss him dearly.

Chad loved serving in his ward and stake in a variety of ways: In bishoprics as a bishop twice, as a counselor in the stake presidency and as stake president for over nine years. Chad and Verlayne loved completing temple work together and spent countless hours finding family names to bring to the temple. Through the years, he has found thousands of family names for children and grandchildren to take to the temple.

For over 40 years, Chad was passionate about and helped with scouting and holding local and district positions. He was a much-loved instructor at Wood Badge for 10 years. In 1998, when he was a course director at Wood Badge, Chad was recognized for having the largest group ever attend. He received the Merit of Honor award in scouting from the states of Idaho, California and Utah, and he was a Silver Beaver recipient in 1994 for the Great Salt Lake Council.

He loved sharing his knowledge of camping and fishing with his children and grandchildren. Some of our favorite times were spent at family reunions, sitting around the campfire and hearing Grandpa tell “Benson Tree” or “Green Weenie” stories.

Chad was a big tease his whole life and always kept not only his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren laughing but also everyone he came into contact with. He was immediately loved by all who met him. He loved searching for golf balls with his family at the golf course behind his house, watching old Westerns (especially John Wayne) and making homemade french fries. He loved family history, visiting old cemeteries and adventuring with his grandchildren in his old truck down dirt roads while listening to Johnny Cash and the Everly Brothers.

Papa is survived by his forever wife, Verlayne, and their twelve children: Tawnja (Jonathan) Gibson, Tracy (John) Beckett, Jennifer (Patrick) Ross, Brenda (Travis) Hansen, Koriann (Barry) Christensen, Valerie (Kory) Memmott, Karmen (Brian) Pope, Keith (Jaclyn) Campbell, Debbie (Josh) Jensen, Benjamin (Nadja) Campbell, Tiffany (Michael) George and Joel (Kally) Campbell. He has 62 grandchildren and 61 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by Sherry Carter (sister), Gary Campbell (brother), and Pam Reynolds (sister).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Nephi and Elaine Campbell; his two younger brothers, Jim Campbell and Mel Campbell; and his granddaughter, Elisha Gibson.

Like Enos in Enos 1:27, we believe our Papa met the Savior face to face and heard the words, “Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father.” 

To know him is to love him. Until we meet again ….

A viewing will be held on Friday, March 28, at 750 East Fort Pierce Dr. North, St. George, Utah, from 6-8 p.m. A viewing will also be held on Saturday, March 29, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., with the funeral starting at noon. Chad will be laid to rest at the Hooper, Utah Cemetery on Monday, March 31, with the dedication of the grave at noon.

We would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and CNAs for the wonderful care they’ve shown our Papa over the years.

Tawnja speaking at her dad's funeral.

The program

Chad served as bishop twice, in a stake presidency, and as a stake president.  He was a faithful servant of the Lord.

I have to say that I was impressed with his large family.  They were all vivacious (like him) and well-spoken.  I had to reflect: Is anything more important in this life that to raise a good family?  I don't think so.