Lewis Campbell

Lewis Campbell



Lewis Campbell passed away peacefully on December 16th, 2020 surrounded by friends and family. Lewis was born in Kansas City, MO on October 26th, 1929, he had two older sisters, Frances Moore (deceased) and Shirley Woods. His family moved to Clarendon Hills, IL where Lewis grew up.

After high school he received a scholarship to UNM so moved to Albuquerque in 1947. After completing his undergraduate degree in physics he joined the US Army during the Korean War. After basic training he was admitted to Officers Candidate School and later joined the OSS, a predecessor to the CIA. When the war was over Lewis returned to Albuquerque to enter UNM Law school. During this period in the mid 1950s Lewis raised private capital and began prospecting for uranium primarily in Wyoming and Utah where he took a Jeep and a horse to scour the backcountry.

In 1955 he married Doris Tracy of Hinsdale, IL with whom he had three sons, Stuart Campbell, William Campbell and Frank Campbell. After graduating law school in 1959 Lewis worked in private practice in Farmington and Gallup until he joined the US Attorney's Office in Albuquerque in 1963. In 1966 he left the US Attorney's office and started what would become a successful private practice with his friend Hugo Cotter. The firm grew to be one of the larger more prestigious Albuquerque law firms.

In 1975 Lewis married Rosita Martinez to whom he remained married for 45 years until his passing. Lewis raised Rosita's children, Tim Carr, Steve Carr, Shawn Carr and Micka Embree as his own. Lewis remained a practicing attorney until 2019 making him one of the longest practicing attorneys in the state at 61 years. Lewis was very active in politics and for a time was chairman of the Republican Finance Committee for the state of New Mexico. He was an avid reader focusing on economics, public policy, China and Russia. He was also a pilot and flew a small Aircoupe around New Mexico landing frequently on abandoned dirt airstrips. Lewis was a mentor to many people, especially young attorneys who practiced under him. He will be remembered by many as a generous man who never stopped seeking knowledge.