July 26, 1929 – April 1, 2021

Gordon Calvin Campbell, 91, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister of Springfield, MO died at his home on Thursday, April 1, 2021 from heart failure. Interment will be held at Danforth Cemetery on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 10:00 am and a Victory Worship Service will follow at 11:00 am at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 4216 S. Charleston Avenue, Springfield, MO with Pastor Eddie Cintron officiating. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home in Springfield.

The son of Cecil Calvin and Aileen (Jones) Campbell, Gordon was born on July 26, 1929. As a son of a military chaplain, Gordon lived in many midwestern cities before he settled in Springfield, MO. There he attended First & Calvary Presbyterian Church where he met Forda Murray who would become his wife a decade later. Gordon graduated from Springfield High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Missouri State University and a Masters of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur (Atlanta), Georgia.

During the Korean War, Gordon served our country in the United States Air Force as a clerk, stationed in northern Africa. It was during this time that he felt called to pursue a life of ministry as a pastor. Gordon re-connected with his military service 20 years ago, by joining the Springfield Korean War Veterans and serving for many years as their chaplain.

Upon returning from overseas back to Springfield, Gordon rekindled his relationship with Forda Murray and they soon married in 1954. They shared a loving life together in Atlanta, GA and the Missouri communities of Golden City, Perry, Joplin, Salem and finally returning to their teenage home of Springfield for the last 20 years of retirement.

As a pastor, Gordon faithfully preached anywhere and everywhere he was asked for over 60 years, preaching his last sermon and funeral at age 89. He held pastor roles in churches located in Golden City, Irwin, Preston, Madison, and Lockwood Presbyterians Churches (in southwestern MO), Perry, Bethel and Laddonia Presbyterians Churches (in northeastern MO), Bethany Presbyterian Church (in Joplin, MO), and New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church (in Salem, MO). Gordon also worked various other jobs including Big Top and Sears in Joplin, MO, and as a faithful election poll worker in Springfield, MO.

Gordon was involved in the Boy Scouts of America for 71 years, starting as a young boy as a senior patrol leader and earning the Life Badge. As an adult Scouter, his dedicated service in a variety of leadership positions garnered many awards including the Silver Beaver, Golden Sun, Woodbadge, and the Order of the Arrow Vigil Honor. Gordon was truly a lifelong Boy Scout, mentoring thousands of boys about building a character-based life and a foundational faith in God.

Gordon was the husband of Forda Nathane (Murray) who preceded him in death in 2018. He was also preceded in death by his parents and sister, Katherine (Campbell) Parker. Survivors include a daughter, Sara Lynne (Campbell) Tamburrino (Tim Tamburrino) of Rolla, MO and Mark Calvin Campbell (Terry Campbell) of Spring Hill, TN and three grandchildren, Abigail Margaret Campbell of Orlando, FL, Rebecca Claire Campbell of Spring Hill, TN and infant, Carl Matthew Tamburrino in Heaven, who passed away at 20 days in 1992. Gordon treasured every moment spent with his grandchildren.

With the help of Hospice, his son Mark, and the daily care by his daughter Sara for the last three years, Gordon was able to be at home when he took his last breath and slipped away to his special place, made just for him in Heaven. He is undoubtedly there now with his bride Forda, happier than ever, and worshiping louder than most anyone else with a fresh set of lungs and a strong new heart.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations sent to Infant Loss Resources, Inc. in honor of Gordon's grandson, Carl, at InfantLossResources.org , to 1120 South Sixth Street, Suite 500, St. Louis, MO 63104 or First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 4216 S. Charleston Avenue, Springfield, MO 65804.