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San Diego State University Washington State University John R. Rogers High School

William Campbell Obituary

Poway
Poway says goodbye to beloved retired teacher and coach.
William "Terry" Campbell, age 91, passed away peacefully in his home on September 11, 2023 with his daughter by his side.
Born on February 18, 1932 in Spokane, Washington, Terry is survived by his daughter, Tanya; his sister, Shirley; grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Priscilla; son, Scott; and his parents, whom he has now returned to.
These words cannot possibly sum up the life of such an influential life force, but it is a small glimpse into knowing him. Terry graduated from John R. Rogers High School, where his long and prestigious journey with sports began. He graduated from Washington State University where he majored in Sociology, then earned a Masters Degree from San Diego State University.
Terry was a devoted and highly respected teacher and tennis coach for over thirty years within the Poway Unified School District. He significantly encouraged many a student over his long career.
Terry, a friend to many, will be deeply missed and forever remembered. Because Terry will be cremated, no formal funeral service is being planned. Instead, he will be honored with a Celebration of Life to be held at a later date.

Please sign the guest book online at legacy.com/obituaries/ pomeradonews William Terry' Campbell February 18, 1932 - August 11, 2023

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Pomerado News on Sep. 21, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for William Campbell

23 Entries

Jacqueline Williams

March 19, 2025

Mr. Campbell, was indeed, someone special in many peoples' lives, especially to mine. He was much more than just my mother and I's teacher, while attending Meadowbrook Middle School. He was also a long time friend of my grandparents Micky and Vera Schlindwein, as well as a good humored, intelligent, and awesome neighbor on Halper Rd. where I grew up at the end in the cul-de-sac, just three houses down. My mother grew up with Scott, his son, and I was always happy to see Priscilla, his wife, anytime I could because she was the sweetest, most beautiful lady, that was very well put together. So, Mr. Campbell was the best teacher, dearest of friends to my family, and the ever-so-faithful, on time, everyday, like clockwork, best grass watering neighbor Halper Rd. could have.
Thank you, Mr Campbell for blessing so many people and being such an amazing role model and friend to all. You're always going to be remembered and you will forever be in the good part of my memory bank.
Much Love Always,
Jackie Williams
(Micky and Vera's granddaughter)

Robyn Showerman Burger

March 12, 2024

I know this is "tardy," but I just found out about his passing...

Mr. Campbell was my 8th grade Homeroom teacher at Meadowbrook Middle School in the 1975-76 school year.

I was probably a pain in the butt for him because of my own experiences in life, which made me complex at the time. However, my fondest memory is of reading to the class when we came back from lunch period and either he didn't read himself or my other classmates didn't volunteer. I was proud of my reading skills and I think he enjoyed seeing me participate in class that way.

I last saw him in person when I was having my car worked on at the Firestone in R.B. He was with his wife and I think he knew he had met me before, but didn't remember. However, as I sat there in the lounge area I watched him and the impeccable way he treated his wife. Such a gentleman. What many would call "old school." The truth is, his type of manner never goes out of style.

Mr. Campbell was definitely a positive life force. I'm so happy he affected so many people in a positive way.

Pamela Tuft

March 10, 2024

Oh I´m so sad our world has lost dear Mr. Campbell! What a great man!! He was my 8th grade teacher at Meadowbrook, where I played an April Fool´s joke on him. I orchestrated the whole class to not come back to class after lunch but to go to the library instead. The librarian was in on it and then two kids showed up to class and tattled and we were all looking through the back windows to the library when we saw him headed around to the front. All of us took off out the back door which was only used for teachers. When he came back to class he was methodical and stood at the front of the class and said `Who´s idea was this little prank?´ One of those tattlers said Pam Tyler. I was wearing a dress that day. He said the next day you come to class in slacks, you will be doing 20 push ups in front of the class. So for the rest of the year, I wore dresses, and I´m pretty sure I still owe him push ups, and am 60 years old now. I loved Mr C!
RIP Mr Campbell
Much love, and thanks,
Pamela Tyler Tuft
Springville, Utah

Kevin Riker

February 2, 2024

Terry was always a good friend and like father to me his son Scott and I had a passion for cars and spent many years together as friends Terry and his wife Priscilla took care of me when I was sick or had as much as a cold I have so many good memories of the time I spent with the family as a kid and I hope people notice we need more people like that family in this world.

Zachary Parks

November 5, 2023

Rest in peace Mr. Campbell. You were a great teacher and man.

Andrea Lynn

October 23, 2023

It has been over 40 years since I had Mr. Campbell as a teacher at Meadowbrook. Over the years I have repeatedly told my son and other parents about him, recalling what a caring and impactful teacher he was. The weekly current events bit was the best! It was evident he cared deeply about his students and their futures. What a blessing he was to so many of us. May he rest in peace.

Paul Robinson

October 12, 2023

Rest in peace Coach. Thank you for always showing me the way through life as a man, teacher, coach, and father.

Paul Robinson

October 12, 2023

Coach Campbell was a my rock, my mentor, and my friend. He is always the one teacher I mention when speaking about the greatest influences on my life. He was the one that told me I was going to college in his 8th grade class. Not could or should, but that I was going. He made sure over my time at PHS that everything I did would get me there. Because of that I became a teacher, a tennis coach, and administrator for 41 years. I couldn´t have asked for a better man to emulate. I´m so privileged to have kept in touch over the years and spent time by the pool in the backyard with him. He would always pull out the old file of photos and stats from our Titan days. Rest in peace Coach. You´ve served us all well.

Peter Ruggiero

October 9, 2023

Mr. Campbell was a wonderful and inspiring teacher, as well as a friend to so many. Rest in Peace, sir.

Washington State

October 8, 2023

Thank you for your service to our country. Rest In Peace.

Dave McCoy

October 7, 2023

I had the honor of being in Mr.Campbells 8th grade class in 1971. Then I had the pleasure of working with Terry at Meadowbrook where I enjoyed his company everyday. He was one of the kindest and caring people I ever meet. What are honor it was knowing sure a fine gentleman. My thought and prayers are with him and his loved ones. Your Truly, David McCoy

Wes Brinsfield

October 6, 2023

Meadowbrook late 1960s, "the" Poway High School early 1970s. Always so kind and patient and knowledgeable. And any tennis I learned I learned from him. Go Titans!

Terri Wiley

October 3, 2023

He was a very special person. Great teacher, coach, always kind and friendly.
Always a pleasure to be with. He will be missed.

Karl and Judy Kahn

October 3, 2023

Terry Campbell a beautiful human being!!! Karl and I loved him dearly He will be forever missed!

Chad Basinger

September 25, 2023

Two of my lifelong friends (who were also in his 8th grade class at Meadowbrook) sent me a text with this announcement. While it is never ideal and my condolences to the family, I will say that from what I can gather, he lived a long and happy life and that gives me peace, instead of sadness. Aside from his individual success, it is the positive influence he had on countless kids. My two older brothers had him as their 8th grade teacher at Meadowbrook, so when it was my turn, I had to make sure I had that opportunity. It was, without a doubt, the most fun I ever had in a classroom. He made learning fun ( I just wish I could take one more "General Culture" quiz as I am pretty sure I'd fare a lot better than I did back in 8th grade). Not only did my two older brothers and I have the fortune of having him as our 8th grade teacher, but he was also our coach on the tennis team at Poway High. For years and years, he used to go to Poway High every Saturday from 730am-1130am and teach tennis lesson with his red Head racket and small a basket of balls for a nominal amount ($5 at one point), so I often spent Saturday mornings with him. In high school, he was the coach for 25 years or so up until 1990 when one of his former players (John Graber) took over as the coach. Fortunately/unfortunately, we won CIF for the first time in school history. While Mr. Campbell may have not been the coach then, he certainly had a hand in helping us get to that point. In fact, I will always remember something he told me. "If you get your first serve in, you will never double fault." Interestingly enough, I played tennis yesterday with John Graber as my doubles partner and on the court next to us happened to be another one of my favorite teachers (and tennis coach in middle school and my freshman year at Poway.) I hadn't seen him for years, but gave him a big hug and I brought up Mr. Campbell's passing. He summed it up best "he was my mentor, he was a great guy!" I can genuinely say that Mr. Campbell was truly a wonderful man and someone who left a lifelong impression on me and I'm quite sure, countless others. RIP Mr. Campbell

Joie Nolasco

September 24, 2023

Another " tower" has fallen on 9/11 but this time it was teacher, coach, colleague, and an overall fantastic human being!

Terri Heaslet

September 24, 2023

Terry Campbell was an icon at Meadowbrook Middle School, always engaging and funny and personable with the students. He treasured his wife and family and was well known in the community. I´ll always smile at the memory of him standing in front of his classroom #1, looking pointedly at his watch as I walked on campus in the morning. He will be missed by so many.

Michael Malone

September 24, 2023

Mr Campbell was my favorite teacher. He made learning fun and interesting. His sports knowledge was off the charts. RIP

Dan Granger

September 23, 2023

Terry was a tremendous positive influence on the lives of countless Poway students ... mine as a teacher and tennis coach for four years ... he was very young when he started teaching ... a great American we should all strive to be. Prayers to the family

Sherri Thompson

September 23, 2023

I will miss my visits with Mr. Campbell when I would visit my childhood neighbourhood. I will cherish my visit last year (pic). He had a great balance in his teaching style - lots of humour, laughing, and making learning fun. Yet we knew when it was time to be serious and get things done. I enjoyed the General Knowledge quizzes each week, even though I always scored low. He treated us students with respect and in return we all respected and highly admired Mr. Campbell.

Krissy Hombs

September 22, 2023

Mr Campbell will forever hold a very special place in my heart. He was my favorite teacher of all my teachers and taught me the love of tennis as my first coach. So grateful my brother Todd and I had the privilege of one last visit with him just a month before his passing. What a special man. Love you Tanya!!

Krissy Hombs

Krissy DeFabio Elias

September 21, 2023

He was my favorite teacher! He would throw erasers at you if you were talking in class ;)
I recall being very chalky! He made such an impact on all his students.

Jamie Thompson

September 21, 2023

Mr Campbell was a force for good in the world. His role as teacher changed lives for the better. I will forever remember him and the difference he made. I lived in "termite village" as he called it, just right up the street from him. I remember how he would peg his pants like we did in 1989 to razz us. He was so much fun. He had a nickname for me for the whole year and it made me feel so special. Thanks Mr Campbell for the memories.

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