Gerald Lee Campbell

Gerald Lee Campbell, 85, of Woodbridge, Virginia passed away Saturday, July 26, 2025, at his home, in his sleep. As he was called, Jerry, was born in Toppenish, Washington, May 16, 1940, born to Robert Glenn and Agnes Campbell. He spent his entire early life and education in Toppenish where he graduated from Toppenish High School with the class of 1958. Jerry had a big interest in music, he was able to enjoy himself playing the piano and in the 7th grade he learned to play the trombone. This continued through High School. He was part of a Jazz Band with friends from the Top-Hi Band. He also enjoys singing, he was part of many plays during his life. He spent many days working in his parents’ grocery store, Bob Campbells’ Market, what is now the Blue Sky Market. He was very proud of his dad and mom and their philosophy of servicing a community. His dad taught him how to earn and save money. The more hours you worked, the more you must use. Early in life he bought a Ham Radio, at night he would listen to people all over the world. It probably influenced him regarding world affairs. He enjoyed the days that he spent on water skis and on rafts he and his friends built out of innertubes to float on the Tieton and Yakima Rivers. As one friend said the many nights hunting rabbits on Toppenish Ridge; he got great use out of the “Bob Campbell’s Market yellow pick-up, 1957 Chev Camao. while he made every possible gathering as a group a FUN event. He enjoyed college. He received his B.A. in History at Gonzaga University, M.A in Philosophy at St Louis University, Ph.D., Philosophy at Georgetown University, and Ph.D., Candidate International Relations, at The Catholic University of America. Then it was time to work. In 1967-1975 he taught as an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Marymount College of Virginia. Gerald L. Campbell was a senior staff member of the U. S. House of Representatives from 1976 to 1985, the Director of Policy and Research for the National Security Caucus of the U. S. House of Representatives from 1977 to 1980, the Senior Advisor to the Director of the United States Information Agency from 1985 to 1990, and the Special Assistant to the Administrator, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, at the U.S. Department of Justice from 1992 to 1993. He was the Senior Advisor Commissioner of Health, for the Texas Department of Health., for the Texas Department of Health. 1997-2001. Gerald was described as a Experienced Washington professional with a strong record of achievement in issue identification, strategy development, and program implementation. Highly skilled in speech writing, communications and public relations. In-depth experience in organizing private sector, Federal, and bi partisan congressional support on a wide range of domestic and international issues. Background encompasses high-visibility positions with Federal agencies, elected officials, special interest groups, political campaigns, and educational institutions. Recognized throughout career as a highly versatile and superb communicator. Jerry enjoyed his life. He enjoyed his personal projects which he shared with the world through his website, Facebook, Flickr Page, etc. Politics was his life. Most of the committees he was on were helping people with government resources. He was able to make a big difference in the world through his efforts while working on Capitol Hill. In June 1990, Jerry began to inquire into nature, root cause, and the spiritual dynamics of social dysfunctional behaviors. He spent nearly five years exploring the streets of Washington D.C., associating with and befriending the homeless, violent youth, and substance abusers. With camera and tape recorder in hand, he took black and white photographic images and recorded the personal stories of many of these individuals. Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kansas has written about his efforts: “Your work with and on behalf of the homeless in Washington, D. C. is a model that should emulated across the country. The Curator of the Washington Center for Photographs said: “I am stunned by the intensity and compassion expressed in your body of work. It has been a long time since I have seen portraits which combine spiritual presence and strength with technical accomplishment. The ability to see past skin and culture and see the true individual within? A close friend wrote that everyone who knew him knows that he always had a kind word for anyone he met, and he always left you with something to think about. The photographic images and personal stories displayed on his web site are representative of the artistic portion of his work. A boy that used his first Brownie Box Camera in Toppenish to his efforts mentioned above, it was his main interest in life along with the Politics that he took part in that was special to him. Life was great for this man. Jerry is preceded in death by his Parents: Robert “Bob” Campbell and Agnes Campbell, Nephew: Mark R. Smith. He is survived by: Sister, Barbara J. Smith (Dick), Kent, Wa; Brothers, Paul R. Campbell (Kathleen), Yakima, Wa Lyle D. Campbell, Everett, Wa. Nephews: Robert J. Campbell (Katie) Keller, Tx, Dan C. O’Hara, Yakima, Wa Niece: Rebecca I. Campbell, Raliegh, NC, Angela Ness (Mark), Black Diamond, Wa, Carrie O’hara Gutierrez (Joe); Andre Eleazer, Woodridge, Va and Brad Kovaly longtime friends. Pierce Funeral Home Manassas, Virgina is handling the details. Their web site is www.piercefh.com Web sites that you may want to explore Gerald Campbell’s work: www.flicker.com/photos/dcnittygritty https://www.flickriver.com/photos/dcnittygritty/popular-interesting/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwL2C_RjbGNrAvYL22V4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEet5-95ThKMxx3Wh2itwoHXUnCo-rcy7BY0rhuw2-xJJGR7wC7fe6w56Aw9SY_aem_DgQvzUfJfj4uOYSAT_Zjcg EASTERN EUROPE 1989 - IN MIDST OF REVELUTION https://geraldlcampbell.typepad.com/photos/krakow_in_the_midst_of_re/index.html?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwL2DUhleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHoYta_P0W-ausToeVf8Nvxq6pjfgFTvAEEPb-q9Rl43668YtCp20sFPxBBK-_aem_kzY3P5GuueRUenthrQKhfQ HOMELESS IN AMERICA: THE UNMET NEED TO BELONG https://geraldlcampbell.typepad.com/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwL2DeVleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHoYta_P0W-ausToeVf8Nvxq6pjfgFTvAEEPb-q9Rl43668YtCp20sFPxBBK-_aem_kzY3P5GuueRUenthrQKhfQ STORE FRONT CHURCHES OF WASHINGTON D.C. https://geraldlcampbell.typepad.com/photos/store_front_churches/index.html?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwL2EClleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHm8t6GwLVH1AVdTmcAgF13iOwiBo2IJFLzJoMZ4EFyamqqaNytEDoC9RKQVA_aem_wdvKvLT-ntWy4MVMU8N-kg ESSAYS BY GERALD L. CAMPBELL https://geraldlcampbell.typepad.com/impact/essay_by_gerald_l_campbell/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwL2EXNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHqUA9NGckv2UunWREgbAmFUjKzlgs9e4ajpeVH8V7nCFpjIDlIPPLT_pY9uk_aem_M_p40mrWZ5fRtv8Js8oICQ

Gerald Lee Campbell

May 16, 1940 - July 26, 2025