Donald Ray Campbell

Donald Ray Campbell passed away peacefully on July 7, 2025, in Waxahachie, Texas, at the age of 88. He was born at home in Maypearl, Texas, to Martha Hudson (Smithey) and Bruce Smithey, and was lovingly raised by William Aurther Campbell and Mary Lorene Tidwell.

Donald was a proud high school graduate and served in the Air National Guard. He spent most of his life working the land as a devoted farmer, a role that fit him perfectly. He was known for his hard work, steady presence, and no-nonsense approach to life. Not to be left out was his quick wit and his jokes that seemingly were always on stand-by. 

The way to his heart was through his stomach; he loved a home cooked meal but would tear up an Oma’s Jiffy Burger and KFC. 

Donald was also an avid dancer and could sure cut a rug, especially with dear friends, Annette and Gary Wilson. 

He loved watching his son and daughter, granddaughters and great grandsons play sports, most especially basketball. The youngest granddaughter was a ball player; when the travel for those games picked up, he bought him a brand-new King Ranch to tote the family around in game-to-game. The fire for basketball was lit when his daughter, Donya took the floor. If he was home you could bet, he was watching football or basketball, with the volume high enough to burst eardrums. 

The soft spot in his heart was watching his people work on the farm. Ray Lynn came by farming honestly, as Donald sat him on a tractor practically the moment Betty came home with him for the first time. To this day, one could assume Ray Lynn’s lullaby might be the sound of a humming 4020. When his granddaughters were on the tractors, you could bet he’d be watching them from afar, grinning. Then when the great-grandsons came along, and the oldest started to rake hay and helps his Bigs on the farm. Not too far behind them in the field, you’d catch Donald in his truck cruising’, wearing his John-Deere cap and a smile from ear to ear.

Donald drove until a little over a year ago. The family shortly realized he needed another means of transportation, so a scooter it was. He gave us all laughs on that thing – the best one of all might’ve been catching him on the scooter, that topped out at 5 MPH might I add, scooting down Campbell Rd. to check on things at the shop. He might’ve been retired but that farm was more than a job, it was home.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Lou Armstrong Campbell, his daughter, Donya Campbell, and his parents.

He is survived by his son, Ray Lynn Campbell, and daughter-in-law Shaena Campbell. Three granddaughters, Shadoh Lassetter & husband Brandon Lassetter, Sage Campbell, Sheltyn Campbell & husband Trey Thompson. As well as two great-grandsons, Daxton Lassetter and Dusk Lassetter. As well as a wide circle of friends whom all loved him dearly.

A visitation will be held at Wayne Boze Funeral Home in the Chapel on Monday, July 14, 2025, from 6pm-8pm. The graveside service will be held at Ozro Cemetery on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 10:00am. Arrangements are under the direction of Wayne Boze Funeral Home in Waxahachie.