Paul Campbell

Paul Ray Campbell, 60, passed away in the evening of October 7, 2023, surrounded by his family at home in Vinton, Iowa. Paul was born in Humansville, Missouri on August 19, 1963, to Efton and Helen (Mann) Campbell. He graduated from Humansville High School in 1981 and pursued an education at the State Technical College of Missouri in Linn, Missouri. After graduating with a degree in electronic engineering, he continued his education at the University of Missouri – St. Louis with studies of philosophy and engineering. He learned he had a love of writing software excelling tremendously in this field, eventually starting his own business in 1998 which continues today. Paul met his wife Lori in 1987 in the engineering department where they were both employed and were married in 1989. They shared 34 wonderful, memorable years together, working side by side to create a home and family, and to live on mission to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul was an avid hunter and conservationist who loved the land and the beauty of God’s creation, especially the tallest of mountains. He loved traveling the open road on his motorcycle and treasured the chances he had to share the road with his beloved brothers. He enjoyed astrophotography, taking many beautiful photographs of space too far away for the eye to see. He loved spending time with his kids and was quite the barbecue pitmaster. He is preceded in death by his father Efton and his mother Helen. He is survived by his wife Lori and his sons Jacob and Isaac (wife Samantha Barr), and his daughter Rachel. He is survived by his brothers and sister, Collin (Sarah) Campbell, Daniel, David, Donna and Larry Campbell. Paul’s greatest passion was his love of the Lord and was on a church plant in Urbana, Iowa with Veritas Church. He lived on mission daily encouraging those around him and mentoring men who struggled with their faith. He served on the technical crew of the church on Sundays arranging scriptures and worship music. If you sat long enough drinking coffee with Paul, the conversation would always turn to Jesus, for all to understand: Everything was created to display God’s glory; therefore, we should be living for the glory of God. He was our Father and we His beloved children living in harmony with Him. In our doubt and distrust of God, we simply could not obey His commands. We have all sinned, falling short of our intended purpose. We have broken the loving covenant relationship with our Father. We all deserve eternal punishment for this crime. Yet in God’s great mercy, He sent His only beloved Son to provide a way for sinners to be reconciled back to the Father. God’s holy, anointed Son Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a perfect sinless life and sacrificed His life to pay the penalty for our sin that we ourselves could not pay. He was resurrected from the grave and imparted His righteousness onto us at the cross, so we are restored to the Father by His free gift of mercy and grace. Therefore, ALL who are called by faith to confess their sins, believe and trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, WILL be raised from the dead and have eternal life. There is nothing we can do to earn this salvation – Jesus fully paid the debt we could not pay. Paul would say, “So… why do I get to go to heaven? Because the man in the middle said I could.” A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, October 16, 2023, at Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar. Burial will follow at Rondo Cemetery. Services are under the care and direction of Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar.

Paul Campbell

August 19, 1963 - October 7, 2023