Campbell, John David

John Campbell, known to friends and family as Dave,
passed away at home at the age of 77 on January 18, 2010.
He was born in Elysburg, Pennsylvania on June 20, 1932 to
William and Hazel Campbell. Dave lived in the San Diego
area since 1955. Dave was a graduate of Ridley Township
High School in suburban Philadelphia in 1950. He went on
to graduate from the United States Naval Academy in
1954. He graduated from Naval Flight School in Pensacola,
Florida and received his Navy Wings of Gold, becoming a
Naval Aviator in May of 1955. After graduation, Dave
joined the VF-124 All Weather Fighter Squadron based at
Naval Air Station Miramar, flying the new F3H 2N Demons.
Dave's squadron was deployed on the USS Lexington in
1957. He helped form the Demon Replacement Airwing
Squadron VF-121 in 1958. From 1959 to 1961, Dave
attended the United States Naval Post-Graduate School,
receiving a BS in Aeronautical Engineering. Assigned to
Stanford University for one year, he was awarded an
Engineers Degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics. He
resigned his commission as a Lieutenant on June 30, 1965.
After leaving the Navy, Dave began a career with Ryan
Aeronautical where he was the Program Manager for the
YQM-98A Compass Cope UAV and AQM-81A Fire Bolt
Supersonic Aerial Target. Dave continued with Ryan until
his retirement in 1996. Dave was a member of the Naval
Academy Alumni Association, the North San Diego County
Genealogical Society, the Computer Genealogy Society of
San Diego, and the Tiger Software Computer Investment
Group. Genealogy and the San Diego Padres were two of
his passions. Dave is survived by Ann, his wife of 53 years;
his sons: Kevin and wife, Elizabeth of Las Vegas, Scott and
wife Susie of Bonita; his daughter, Karen Fritze and her
fiancA#, Stanley Fingerhut of Arlington Heights, Illinois;
his grandchildren, Stephenie and Daniel; his sister, Joan
Crow and her husband, Walter of Tucson; and brother
Dennis and wife, Janice of Hilton Head, South Carolina.
Services are planned for the fall at Fort Rosecrans National
Cemetery at Miramar. In lieu of flowers, donations may be
made to the American Cancer Society .

Published in San Diego Union-Tribune on February 21,
2010