Floyd Levern Campbell

Floyd Levern Campbell, 73, died suddenly at home in Arroyo Grande Monday, Dec. 9, 2013. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was loved deeply, respected by all and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Floyd was born in Minnesota, the firstborn child of Floyd Levern Campbell Sr. and Jacqueline Holleran Campbell. He was an avid hockey player while growing up in Minnesota. In the 1950s, he and his brother, Walter, built and raced a dragster at competitions around the Twin Cities in the early years of drag racing. Floyd proudly served in the U. S. Marines in the 1960s. He graduated from college with degrees in Chemistry and Biology, and taught high school for a brief time until he decided to pursue a career in sales. He was a pioneer salesman in the early computer industry. He made career moves throughout Iowa and Michigan and then in 1984, sold his snow blower and moved to California. He decided to remain in California for the rest of his life. Floyd started a business in 1986 with four other ex-colleagues from his computer sales days. Together they built the business into a nationwide corporate training powerhouse, which they sold in 1998 to a major international provider of private educational programs. Floyd cherished his many friendships with people all over the United States who had worked for and with him. His legacy lives on today in the many people who benefitted from the career enhancing courses the business provided. In 1998, Floyd and his wife, Barbara, retired and moved to Arroyo Grande, where they knew no one. The community warmly embraced the Campbells, and Floyd developed many valued friendships. He was a very proud member of Five-Cities Mens' Club, Ambassador for Arroyo Grande Chamber of Commerce, member of Cuesta Crankers (Model A automobile owners club), Donut Derelict, member of National Hot Rod Association and an active participant in many charitable causes on the Central Coast. Floyd was always willing to help someone with a project, help a friend fix something or figure out the solution to a problem - always ready to lend a hand. He was an accomplished man who never quit learning. He was a pilot, entrepreneur, educator, engineer and tinkerer, expert car mechanic (he earned full ASE Certifications just because it was a personal challenge), licensed building contractor and property developer and a pretty good welder. He was an avid reader who soaked up knowledge and remembered most of what he read. He loved fast cars and hot rods, and he loved drag racing. Floyd is survived by his loving wife, Barbara; beloved children: daughter, Jacqueline (Martin); sons Jon (Nicole) and Floyd Jr.; and stepson, Eric (Alicia). He loved his grandchildren James, Megan, Charlotte, Ryan, Campbell and Christianna. He was preceded in death by his brother, Walter; and beloved dog, Fargo. There will be no service at this time, but in the summer of 2014, a Celebration of Life event will be held in Arroyo Grande. The location and date are yet to be determined so his many out of area friends will have the opportunity to attend, and to meet Floyd's many Central Coast friends. Memorial contributions may be made to Five-Cities Community Service Foundation, P.O. Box 0, Grover Beach, CA 93483. We will miss you greatly, Pop. "We are all Star Stuff" '? Carl Sagan, 1983