By Nicole Hamilton
The Cincinnati Enquirer

WYOMING - John R. Campbell used his organizational abilities, determination and compassion to advance the lives of others.

As the former executive director of Valley Interfaith Food and Clothing Center in Lockland, he greatly improved the operation. He "not only sustained an operation which is so critical to the needy among us, but vastly improved it," said his friend, Peter Schmid, president of Valley Interfaith.

Mr. Campbell died of cancer Wednesday at Hospice of Blue Ash. The Wyoming resident was 75.

"He liked to go in and make sense of chaotic situations," said his wife of 31 years, Dimitra Campbell.

His volunteering efforts didn't stop at Valley Interfaith. From the early 1990s through 1999, he was a counselor for the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), and was elected its chairman in 1998.

"He edited the SCORE newsletter, initiated SCORE workshops, and computerized all SCORE briefs," his wife said.

Mr. Campbell, an engineer, spent most of his career as the manager of the marine industrial engine division of General Electric, beginning in 1956 until he retired in 1990.

Raised in Jackson, Mich., he graduated from General Motors Institute in Flint, Mich., with a degree in engineering, around 1952, and worked for General Motors for a few years before moving to Cincinnati after accepting a position with General Electric.

In 1982, Mr. Campbell received the U.S. Navy's Reliability, Maintainability, and Assurance Award, presented to him by George Sawyer, then the assistant secretary of the Navy.

A croquet player, he and his wife built a small court alongside their Wyoming home, and became members of the New Albany Country Club, outside Columbus, to play on a regulation size court.

Mr. Campbell served on the board of directors of the Sharon Woods Village, now known as Heritage Village Museum, in 1995 and 1996.

In addition to his wife, survivors include four daughters, Judy Wallisch of New Braunfels, Texas, Nancy Foster of Springfield Township, Barbara Campbell of Springfield Township, and Carisa Patrick of West Chester; and two sons, Dan Campbell of Eureka Springs, Ark., and David Patrick of Troy, Mich.; a brother, Charles M. Campbell of Ferdinand, Ind.; and five grandchildren.

Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Jon Deitloff Funeral Center, Spring Grove Cemetery, Winton Place.

Memorials: Valley Interfaith Food and Clothing Center, 420 W. Wyoming Ave., Lockland, OH 45215; or to Hospice of Blue Ash, 4310 Cooper Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242.

E-mail nhamilton@enquirer.com