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Perhaps Larry’s greatest joy in his later years was simply being 'Grandpa.'

Lawrence “Larry” Campbell, 75, passed away unexpectedly on June 5, 2026, at his home in Harrisville, Utah.

Larry was born on December 6, 1950, in Henderson, Nevada, to Tory Lee Campbell and Gladys Jean Peterson, who preceded him in death. He was raised in Ogden, Utah, graduated from Ben Lomond High School, and later attended Weber State College (University).

Larry lived life on his own terms. He was independent, true to his convictions, and never afraid to be exactly who he was. His life was marked by curiosity, creativity, compassion, and a deep appreciation for both people and the natural world.

During the Vietnam War, Larry chose to enlist in the United States Army rather than wait to be drafted, allowing him the opportunity to choose his military occupation. He trained as a medical corpsman and was prepared to serve wherever he was needed. Before he could be deployed to Vietnam, however, he received an honorable medical discharge, bringing his military service to an unexpected end.

In his younger years, Larry fully embraced the spirit of the 1960s. A hippie and a liberal at heart, he believed in treating everyone with kindness, dignity, and respect. He loved music, celebrated individuality, and became a lifelong ally of the LGBTQ+ community. His love for the Grateful Dead endured throughout his life, and in his 70s he proudly got a Deadhead tattoo on his chest—a fitting tribute to a band that had been the soundtrack to so many of his adventures. "Every silver lining's got a touch of grey." Grateful Dead.

In the 1970s, Larry married Michele “Mickey” Jensen, and together they welcomed their son, Nathan Lawrence Campbell. Although their marriage ended in the early 1990s, Larry remained proud of being Nathan’s father and treasured spending time with him. In the 1990s, he married Patti Ruska, gaining three stepchildren—Paul, Steffan, and Courtney Fulmer—whom he cared for deeply. Their marriage later ended in the early 2000s.

For many years, Larry worked as a civilian aircraft mechanic at Hill Air Force Base, where his mechanical skill, attention to detail, and strong work ethic earned the respect of those around him. Following his retirement, he devoted much of his time to another lifelong passion—caring for animals. He volunteered with the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (WRC) of Northern Utah in Ogden before later working at Tracy Aviary in Salt Lake City. Between the WRC and Tracy Aviary, he formed lifelong friendships while serving and working alongside many wonderful people.

Animals were among Larry’s greatest joys. During the 1980s and 1990s, he showed Rottweilers in AKC competitions, combining his love of dogs with a commitment to responsible breeding and training. As the years passed, his focus shifted toward animal rescue. Birds, in particular, captured his heart, and he lovingly cared for several rescued companions, including three macaws, a sun conure, an English starling, and many other feathered friends that became cherished members of his family.

Larry also found peace in the outdoors. Whether hiking mountain trails, riding his bike, or skiing Utah’s mountains, he embraced every opportunity to experience nature. His determination and discipline also led him to earn a second-degree black belt in Hapkido.

A gifted artist, Larry expressed his creativity in many forms. He spent countless hours creating ceramics in his own kiln and had a remarkable talent for drawing. Charcoal was his favorite medium, though he enjoyed experimenting with a variety of artistic styles throughout his life.

Perhaps Larry’s greatest joy in his later years was simply being “Grandpa.” He loved spending time with his son, Nathan, and daughter-in-law, Renée, and treasured every opportunity to be with his grandchildren—Charly, Piper, Winnie, Ephraim, and Delia. Whether enjoying Sunday dinners, cheering from the audience at theater performances, attending sporting events, or supporting them at church activities, he simply loved being present. Those ordinary moments became some of his most treasured memories. Until his final days, he would often tell his son how much he missed his grandchildren and how much he cherished every opportunity to see them.

Larry will be remembered for his gentle heart, his compassion for every living creature, his artistic spirit, and his unwavering belief that kindness should always come first. He found beauty in nature, joy in music, purpose in helping animals, and happiness in the people he loved. He believed that every life—whether human or animal—deserved compassion, and he quietly lived that belief every day.

Larry is survived by his son, Nathan (Renée) Campbell of Deweyville, Utah; his stepchildren, Paul, Steffan, and Courtney; his beloved grandchildren, Charly, Piper, Winnie, Ephraim, and Delia Campbell; his older brother, Scott Campbell of Roy, Utah; his nephews, Matt and Eric Campbell; and his niece, Stefanie Mathews.

Though Larry’s passing was sudden, the compassion he showed, the lives he touched, and the love he shared with both people and animals will continue to live on. His family finds comfort in remembering a man who never stopped learning, creating, exploring, or caring. He lived authentically, loved generously, and left the world a little kinder simply by being himself.

He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever carried in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Larry’s family will be planning a Celebration of Life in the coming months. They wanted to allow ample time for family and friends who may need to make travel arrangements so that all who wish to attend will have the opportunity to do so. Additional details will be shared once plans have been finalized.