Brian Chester Campbell
April 23, 1975 - March 9, 2023

Brian Chester Campbell suddenly passed away the morning of Thursday, March 9, 2023. We take comfort in knowing Brian, a lifelong follower of Jesus Christ, rests securely in the arms of his Savior.

Born to Ernest Darrell and Betty Campbell on April 23, 1975 in Crescent City, Brian grew up in a large and vibrant family. He was the second of four sons, and his brothers were always his best friends. Some of their activities together included singing in choirs, playing in bands, playing sports, and many road trips with family to see their many uncles, aunts, cousins and friends. As they grew older, they visited each other often, served in various church ministries together, and got to see their kids growing up together.

Brian graduated Del Norte High School in 1993, and in his senior year, he was selected on his football team as the “Most Improved Defensive Lineman.” This is where he earned the nickname “Grave Digger.” Despite the nickname, he was a kind-hearted and gentle person. When anyone picked on the freshmen by putting them in trash cans, not only would Brian stick up for them, but he would put the bully in the trash can! He went on to earn an Associates Degree and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.

Brian was very imaginative and creative. He was always involved with some sort of creative activity. He filled notebooks with puppet shows and children’s stories to read to his ministry kids and eventually his own children. He wrote skits for church and he, along with his brothers and cousins, wrote, choreographed, and costumed skits for movie premiers they performed at the opening of their favorite movies at a local theater. You never knew if Brian was writing a Sunday School curriculum, composing a musical piece, or filming a movie in the wee hours of the morning. One of his favorite past times was weaving stories with his sons, some of those stories spanned years.

An avid musician his whole life, Brian was a part of jazz bands, marching bands, concert bands, worship bands, choirs, and even the Humboldt Harmonaires. Having given his life to Jesus at a young age, Brian served the Lord in many different ways; he served as a children’s church pastor, youth pastor, worship leader, children’s music ministries, and church choirs to name a few. Some of our most cherished memories involve Brian playing the trombone, Rodney on the trumpet, Travis on the saxophone, Jamie on the drums, and their mother Betty on the piano, lifting up their praise to the Lord, singing hymns surrounded by friends and family. When the brothers got together, whether it was for a wedding or a funeral, many times family members would ask if they brought their instruments, and most of the time, they had.

Scripture tells us “unless you turn and become like a child, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” We have confidence that Brian, who, despite his many challenges in life, lived in childlike wonder of God, has received his promised gift of eternal life with Jesus.

Brian is survived by his two beloved sons, Isaac and Micah Campbell; parents Betty Incerty (Steve) and Ernest Darrell Campbell (Clare); brothers Rodney (Jen), Travis (Misty), Jamie (Alyssa), countless uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

There will be a Celebration of Brian’s Life on March 18, 2023 at The Journey, 95 Belleview in Rio Dell at 2 p.m., reception to follow. There will be a viewing at Gobles Mortuary on March 18, 10 a.m.-noon.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Brian Campbell’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.