Tony Campillo Jr.

1936 - 2025

Tony Campillo, 89, of Sacramento, passed away on August 16, 2025, at Mercy San Juan Medical Center. Born February 8, 1936, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, he was the second of seven children of Antonio and Manuela Campillo. His family moved to San Francisco, where he attended Balboa High School before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force.

Tony served in Vietnam, surviving the Tet Offensive while working on aircraft-machines of war that troubled his conscience even as he fulfilled his duty. Though an expert marksman, he refused to fire his weapon at another person. His military honors included the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and several other decorations. The war never fully left him-exposure to Agent Orange, PTSD, and memories of those lost haunted him for decades. Yet two months before his death, he declared, "I'm a patriot and if I had to go to war for this country, I'd do it again."

In the summer of 1969, Tony met and married Virginia Moudgil in the Philippines and had three children: Antonio, Paul, and Priscilla. After Vietnam, the Air Force stationed Tony and his family in Ohio, Kansas, and England before settling in Sacramento. He worked as a general mechanic and fixer, including years with PacBell and AT&T, building a modest life with his hands.

In addition to the scars of war, Tony battled alcoholism until 1997, when he simply decided he'd had enough. No AA, no ceremonies-just done. That same determination carried him through everything. He was never violent, never judgmental, never controlling. Instead, he gave his children the freedom to be themselves-perhaps too much freedom, but it came from his deepest belief: let people live their lives. Freedom first, never second.

He was completely himself. A voracious reader, theorist, and inventor, Tony wrote poetry inspired by Edgar Cayce and was a fervent believer in reincarnation. He loved good music and spontaneous dancing, walked everywhere with purpose, and would give you the shirt off his back. His hearty laugh boomed from the incredulous and the absurd.

In later years, Tony found love and peace with Sandy, his companion until her passing in 2016. Her daughters became his extended family.

Tony is survived by his children Antonio, Paul, and Priscilla; his grandchildren Alex Campillo and Rakim, Elijah, Isis, Raphael, Ishmael Jones; his great grandchildren Nyomi and Kyrie; his siblings; and many friends.

Per his wishes, his ashes will be scattered in the San Francisco Bay. A memorial with military honors will be arranged at a later date. The family extends deep gratitude to his medical care teams and all those who supported him.

He leaves us with a final note: "Don't forget to be the we," a reference to the power of people, not just the individual.