Leroy Big Campbell, Sr. was born August 25, 1926 in Lake Charles, Louisiana, the seventh of eight children born to the union of Alonzo and Jessie Campbell. He graduated from the Lake Charles public schools. As a youth, he and his family adhered to strong religious teachings. He was baptized as a child at the Sweet Home Baptist Church where he attended Sunday School and the Bible Training Union.

Mr. Campbell served his country during the Korean War and was stationed in Japan, during his time in the service. He had very fond memories of this time and spoke of it often.

After being discharged from the Army, he moved to Richmond, California where he met and married Hortense, in 1950. They moved to Ohio where their first child, Leroy Campbell, Jr., was born in 1951. In 1954, they moved to Detroit, Michigan. Their daughter, Karen Campbell, was born in Detroit.

He retired from General Motors Corporation, after 32 years of service.

Mr. Campbell loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved to watch all of the political debates and was very knowledgeable of local political issues and global affairs. His greatest joy was to watch Barack Obama win the Presidential election; not once but twice.

He was preceded in death by: his wife, Hortense; son, Leroy Campbell, Jr.; daughter, Karen D. Jackson; parents; and brothers and sisters Alonzo, Ben, Erie, Leona, Willie, Alberta and Gracie.

Our beloved grandfather, great-grandfather, and father-in-law, Leroy Campbell, Sr., was called home to be with his Lord, Sunday, March 16, 2014. He leaves to cherish his memory: his granddaughters, Sherry Campbell, Ebony Campbell, and Karrina Jackson; grandsons, Alonzo Campbell, Marlon (Rachel) Campbell, Martin J. L. (Charlette) Jackson, and Martez (Ebony) Conner; 14 great-grandchildren; devoted son-in-law, Martin Jackson; daughter-in-law, Janice Campbell; and a host of other relatives and friends, too numerous to list but not forgotten.

Funeral services for Mr. Campbell will be held Tuesday, March 25, 11am, at the James H. Cole Home for Funerals, 2624 West Grand Blvd. Detroit, Michigan. The family will receive friends 30 minutes before the service.