Rex Robert CAMPBELL

1948 - 2017

CAMPBELL, Rex Robert Passed away from cancer at home on March 26, 2017. Rex was born August 12, 1948 in Santa Rosa, California to Phillip and June Campbell. Rex grew up in Annapolis and went to Horicon school. While going to Point Arena High School, he had a motorcycle accident on Highway 1 which changed his life at 16, he became a paraplegic. However, he NEVER wanted to be treated like a disabled person! He was a very proud happy person that tackled any job. He loved building high powered fast engines for the many cars he owned. His Corvette and Sanger flat bottom boat were his most favorite projects. Because of his love for engines he excelled at shop at Santa Rosa Junior College. He also had another love - swimming. While at SRJC he broke all records for Paraplegic Olympic free form swimming in the breast stroke. He turned down the multiple offers by the Olympic coach to join the team. He said "sis" I don't need a metal, I just love the fun of swimming. He also was an excellent basketball player and had a special chair without brakes or arms so he could maneuver faster. He really loved racing on 4th Street and the backroads of Santa Rosa. He quickly became famous for beating his opponents while letting go of the steering wheel so he could shift with one hand and throttle with the other hand. He built all of his vehicles with hand controls including brakes like motorcycle controls. He worked weekdays in the family saw mill (Annapolis Milling Company). Through mud or dirt, he wheeled his chair to the platform. There he used his counter weight lift to raise himself to his work station. He would stand all day between two parallel bars with his full leg braces on both legs. He always took plenty of food and drinks to last all day because he never came down until 5pm. One of his favorite singers was Elvis Presley, so he bought a guitar and sang his songs. Actually he wasn't bad, he had a good voice like his Father. He even made and bottled wine at home from the vineyards on the Annapolis Ranch. He also enjoyed flying remote control airplanes with his friends at the airstrip next to the house. Even though life's daily tasks were a challenge for him and he struggled with a lot of health issues, he still had a Big Smile. Rex lived life to the fullest, was loved by all. He had such a positive attitude, there was nothing he couldn't do if he set his mind to it. His last wish was to come home to die. Without our local Hospice and care givers that dream would not have come true. Rex was preceded in death by his, father Phillip Campbell. He is survived by his mother, June Campbell; sister, Karen (Bill) Hay of Point Arena, and brother, Steve (Lisa) Campbell of Annapolis. He also leaves nieces and nephews Richard (Missy) Hay and Robert (Stacy) Hay of Point Arena, Tim Campbell of Annapolis, Ian Campbell of Santa Ynez and Lacey Campbell of Santa Rosa, great niece and nephews Tyler Hay, Shayla Hay of Point Arena and Colt Campbell of Annapolis. Please join us in your favorite Car or Truck T-shirt for a Celebration of Rex's Life. Graveside services will be held Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Sebastopol Memorial Lawn, 7951 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA. Following will be a luncheon at 1:00 p.m. at the Union Hotel in Occidental, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Shamli Hospice, P.O. Box 1100, Gualala, CA 95445.