Kenneth Terrence Campbell

CAMPBELL, Kenneth Terrence
April 01, 1934 - April 26, 2025
It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our beloved Ken. He was married for 58 years to his best friend Lee (Alicia Tubman). Ken was born in Victoria on Easter Sunday to Fred and Margaret (Peggy) Campbell. His younger sisters were Barbara and Donna. The family lived in Esquimalt. He will be mourned by his daughters JoAnn (Roy) Jarvis of Whitecourt AB, and Jill (Don) Stead of Coquitlam and Kathy (Dave) Chevreau of Richmond, nephew Greg (Donna) Marks of Los Angeles and cousin Claudet Young. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Barbara Marks of New Westminster (10-14-16), brother-in-law Art Lovelace (25-12-18), and his sister Donna Lovelace (10-13-20) of Fort Mohave, AZ.
Ken started playing the clarinet at the age 10, and the alto and tenor saxophone at the age fourteen. Playing music became his passion. He enjoyed practicing and studied his many mentors. He tried to reach their level. Teachers encouraged him in his endeavors. At age eighteen he did an arrangement of "The Bohemian Girl" for the Victoria Operatic Society. When he graduated he was playing in the Esquimalt High School Band. Ken enjoyed challenging himself and would often be a 'pick-up' for dance bands. He played 6 times with George Fairfield Quartet on Chek TV and formed his own band "The Ken Campbell Quartet", featuring himself playing the vibraphone He went on to sign a 5 year contract to the Chez Marcel Night Club and a 1 year contract to play a live radio broadcast in the MacPherson Theatre Restaurant. His last band was name "The Dixie Dudes". It was a Dixieland Jazz Band and mostly playing in retirement centers. Over the years Ken had the good fortune to play in a wide range of bands but he was invited to become a member of the 86 Expo Band. He felt honoured. Ken said he loved the fellowship of belonging to a group of professional musicians and some became his good friends. If Ken was asked what he was most proud of, he would say it was mastering the clarinet. He actively played for seventy-five years.
Ken's day job was master plumber. Trade work was plentiful during the fifties and sixties. He worked himself up to become a superintendent/manager for Rawlings Plumbing and Heating. He later became a representative for the Construction Labour Relations Association of B.C. He was president of the Construction Association of Victoria, and president of the Vancouver Island Construction Association and a member of the executive council of the B.C. Construction Association. He later became the manager of the Vancouver Island Sheet Metal Contractors Association. He negotiated a labour agreement for the musicians of the Victoria Symphony Orchestra.
In 1970 he joined the Masonic Britannia Lodge and later became Worshipful Master and received his fifty year membership medal in May 2020. In 1974 he became a member of the Giza Shrine Temple, then joined the Victoria Shrine Band, playing his clarinet in countless ceremonies, parades, and fund raisers. He received his 50 year certificate in June 2024.
Ken's hobby was golfing with his plumber buddies. He joined the Gorge Vale Golf in 1962. Membership was one hundred dollars and the annual dues was eighty-five dollars. He later made two, hole-in-ones, both on the second hole. He was director from 1993 to 1996 and had been an active member for forty-two years.
Ken enjoyed a robust retirement. Ken and Lee purchased a motorhome and became snowbirds in Blyth, CA. They also enjoyed many cruise excursions, long train trips and Trafalgar bus tours. They were thankful of their many blessings and Ken would help others when he could. At the time of his passing they were living in the condo in Victoria. At one time he had been on the council for 10 years and president for 8 years.
Ken will be remembered for his ability to recall facts and details, faces and names. He especially enjoyed talking to strangers because he believed that every person had a story to share. One could have an interesting conversation with him. He relished a good belly laugh, hearing a great joke, and retelling of shared memories with his friends and family. He will be missed, but not forgotten.

Ken has requested no service. Donations may be made to the charity of your choice, or to The Heart and Stroke foundation (heartandstroke.ca). It would be greatly appreciated.