Jon Albert Campbell

Jon Albert Campbell, a lifelong educator, mentor, and dedicated father and husband, passed away on September 24, 2025, in Hopkins, Minnesota. He was 78. Born on January 16, 1947, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Rev. Archie N. and Naomi (Peterson) Campbell, Jon developed values that shaped a life defined by teaching, coaching, and encouraging young people to believe in themselves. Jon's path of service began with the United States Navy. He enlisted in 1969 and served aboard the U.S.S. Camden as a Hospitalman Apprentice. Though his time in uniform was cut short by a disabling injury, he received an honorable disability retirement later that year, a recognition of his sacrifice and commitment to country. After his discharge, Jon pursued higher education with determination. He earned his B.A. from Concordia College in Moorhead in 1970 and his M.S. from St. Cloud State University in 1974. His vocation was clear: he would dedicate his life to young people navigating the "Bubblegum Years" of junior high and middle school. For decades, Jon shaped classrooms and hallways as both teacher and administrator. His career took him to Newfolden, Minnesota; Verndale, Minnesota; Northfield, Minnesota; Eaton, Colorado; Huron, South Dakota; and Maplewood, Minnesota. In each of these places, he challenged hundreds of students to see their own worth at an age when it is hardest to do so. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched. Beyond the classroom, Jon was rarely far from a ballfield or court. He loved basketball, golf, and baseball, not only as a player but also as a coach. He found joy in competition, camaraderie, and passing along lessons of discipline and hard work to younger generations. Jon's greatest pride, however, was his family. With his first wife, Catherine (Stockman) Campbell, he raised two sons: Terrence "Terry" Campbell of Lawrence, Kansas, now an attorney, and Neal Campbell of Olathe, Kansas, now a physician. Their professional callings filled Jon with profound pride. Terry and his wife, Kristin (Stoddart) Campbell, are the parents of Karen, Jackie, and Luke. Neal and his wife, Siri (Hanson) Campbell, are the parents of Leif, Finn, and Kai. Though life took him down many paths, Jon's heart was always tied to JoAnn (Cedarleaf) Campbell, whom he first met in the fifth grade. They remained lifelong friends before marrying in 1995, and in JoAnn he found his truest companion and the love of his life. Through JoAnn, Jon's family circle widened, and he cherished his close relationship with her daughters, Jeryn (Hall) Konezny and her husband Ron of Minnetonka, and Jana (Hall) Pavek and her husband James of Portland, Oregon. He delighted in their children as well: Adelaide, Emma, and Hannah Konezny, and Demi, Deter, Zack, and Jordan Pavek. Jon was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife JoAnn, his sons and their families, his stepdaughters and their families, and his many beloved grandchildren. The family will gather with friends on the afternoon of Sunday, November 9, 2025, at a location to be announced in the Twin Cities area. A private burial with military honors will take place the following day at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Midwest Fetal Care Center of the Children's Minnesota Foundation or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.