John Martin Campbell

John Martin Campbell, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2024, in Santa Barbara, CA, at the age of 76. Born on March 7, 1948, to John and Bernice Campbell, John grew up in Redondo Beach, CA. He lived a life rich in love, adventure, and intellectual curiosity.

John shared 35 wonderful years of marriage with his devoted wife, Irene. Together, they built a life filled with joy, adventure, and unwavering support. In 1989, they moved to Sequim, WA, where they kept busy running his screen printing business the “Whatever Works”,  catering to making tee shirts for comic book and graphic novel artists’ works. In 2000 John and Irene returned to Santa Barbara, the place they had always considered home, to be closer to their young grandchildren and extended family once again.

John was a proud father to Abby (Roberto) Vasquez and Jacob (deceased) whose lives he enriched by sharing his eclectic musical tastes and love of movies. His grandchildren, Miranda and Diego, were a source of joy in his life, and he had a great time watching soccer and baseball games, school plays and graduations over the years. He was very proud of both of them.

John is survived also by his brother, Rob Campbell, and his children David, Laura and Sarah,  as well as his niece and nephew Mark and Jackie (Villegas) MacLin and their children, who will remember him warmly, especially the years that he and Irene spent living nearby while in Sequim. His niece Indira (Paul) Katan and her daughters lived nearby in Santa Barbara in recent years and enjoyed frequent trips to pick lemons at Uncle John’s house.

John was also survived by “The Brothers”, his Villegas brothers-in-law, Jess, Ray, Merced and Art, as well as Richard and John who predeceased him, who welcomed him into their family and always considered him one of their own.

A man of many interests, John was an avid cinephile with a particular love for film noir and the works of Akira Kurosawa. His passion for cinema was matched only by his enthusiasm for cooking. John was an amateur cook who delighted in preparing dishes as varied as Yorkshire puddings and Guinness stews to dishes from Madhur Jaffrey’s cookbooks, filling his home with the aromas of delicious homemade meals.

Above all else, John was an enthusiastic storyteller. He enjoyed sharing anecdotes about his life and interests with everyone he met, whether they be his family or the strangers he’d interact with in his daily life. Anyone who met John was sure to be regaled by his stories, ranging from old surf tales to whatever he was growing in his garden that season, and he was always happy to share with anyone who would listen.

John Campbell will be remembered for his warm heart, sharp intellect, and the deep love he had for his family, friends, and pets. His legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew him, and his spirit will forever be a part of those he cherished.

In accordance with his wishes,  there will be no memorial service held at this time.