Danny Neil Campbell's Obituary
Danny Neil Campbell, age 80, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 23, 2025, in Muskegon, MI. He was born on February 22, 1945, in Detroit, MI. Danny attended Henry Ford High School where he played varsity football and baseball, sang barbershop and was in the choir. As a teenager he was Citizen of the Year for the City of Detroit, won a $50 bond, and rode on a float in a parade with John Wayne. He attended Eastern Michigan University and was a member of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity where he majored in accounting which led to a long, fruitful career. While at Eastern, he met Arlene Marie Murphy, his forever love, and they were married on August 20, 1966, in St. Clair Shores, MI, and spent 58 wonderful years with her.
One of his great loves was coaching soccer, starting the varsity soccer program at Forest Hills Central High School. Dan coached all his children, his grandchildren, and hundreds of other children in Plymouth, MI, Ada, MI, and in Washington State, where Dan and Arlene lived throughout their marriage.
Dan was an amazing father to his sons, raising them to be kind, confident men. Many of their friends considered the Campbells their second family.
Nicknamed “Laughing Boy” by his high school friends, Dan was always quick to smile, and his charm was next to none. He was never afraid to grab a tambourine, jump on stage, and be the life of the party.
Dan is survived in death by his wife, Arlene M. Campbell; children: John (Cheryl) Campbell of Idaho, James (Karen) Campbell of Michigan; 5 grandchildren: Katherine (Derrick) Dragseth, Andrew (Marina) Campbell, Ethan (Courtney) Campbell, Grace Campbell and Maggie Campbell; 7 great grandchildren: Isaac, Maria, Margaret, Lucy, Callan, Grayson, Ophelia, with an 8th great grandson on the way, sisters Carole Jo (Richard) Brewer, Donna (Jim) Allen, along with many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Neil and Mary (Guiney) Campbell.
MEMORIAL SERVICE is scheduled for 11:00 AM Wednesday June 4, 2025, at St. Patrick Church of St. Patrick St. Anthony Parish, 920 Fulton St. Grand Haven, MI. 49417 with a LUNCHEON to follow. Arrangements through The Sytsema Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 737 Apple Ave. Muskegon, MI. 49442. Please consider signing the family’s online guestbook and share memories at sytsemafh.com
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