Alexander Nye Campbell

Campbell, Alexander Nye
Alexander Nye Campbell passed away in Los Angeles on February 12, 2006, after a short illness. He is survived by his beloved family: his wife of 67 years Maurine; his two sons, Alexander Nye Campbell, Jr., (Judy) of Los Angeles, and Congressman John Bayard Taylor Campbell, III, (Catherine) of Irvine; and his grandchildren, Michael John McGaughey, Amy McGaughey, Alexandra Judith Campbell, John Bayard Taylor Campbell, IV, and Logan Alexander McNee Campbell. He was predeceased by his daughter Suzanne Campbell McGaughey. Born in Tucson, AZ, October 10, 1913, his family moved back to Los Angeles when he was only a few weeks old. He attended the University of Southern California, where he graduated in 1936, with a double major in physics and geology. He immediately went to work in the oil fields of Bakersfield, where as a petroleum geologist he analyzed drilling logs for companies searching for oil. Even though life would take him in several different directions, he never lost his love for the oil business. He joined other independent investors to drill numerous oil wells in the Bakersfield area during the 40's and 50's. In 1938, he joined the Herald-Express as a columnist in the financial department. He became the financial editor of the Herald in the late sixties. His daily column on stocks and investments was widely read by the public as well as the investment community. Never one to do just one thing at a time, in 1965, he formed a partnership to buy Cotton Goff Volkswagen in Buena Park. Over thirty years, that one dealership grew into Campbell Automotive Group, which at one time owned eleven franchises housed in nine dealerships. Over the years, he was affiliated with many clubs and organizations including, The California Club (40 years), Wilshire Country Club (25 years), The Beach Club (50 years), and Los Angeles Tennis Club, where for over 50 years until he was in his late 80's, his left-handed serve that spun the wrong way baffled his opponents. With a smile on his face and a friendly greeting for everyone he met, especially the dogs for whom he always carried a bag of treats, "Bud," as he was known to many, made friends wherever he went. A man of many talents and interests, he played the harmonica, crafted bonsai, built radios, painted, gardened, and collected timepieces of all kinds. What he enjoyed the most, however, was being with his family. His passing leaves a large void in the lives of so many. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in Alex's name for his 4-legged friends to The Amanda Foundation, 351 North Foothill Road, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, or The Salvation Army.