John Franklin Campaigne

Major John Franklin Campaigne, USAF, Retired Major John Franklin Campaigne, Sr. (86) served 20 years in the US Air Force. He was proud of his Master Navigator wings, and in these last years those wings, worn on his bright blue Air Force Retired cap, served as an open introduction to strangers who often stopped to shake his hand and thank him for his service. He never passed an American flag without saluting. Emotion always filled his eyes during the singing of the National Anthem. He was the family hero who bravely volunteered for combat tours twice (1966 & 1969). John lost his dad Dewey Campaigne when he was 7. He lost his only sibling and younger brother Jerry Campaigne in the Vietnam War (1963). He lost his mother, Ellen Campaigne (Johnson) and then his wife of 56 years Frances Campaigne (Cal), but he never lost his deep love for family, his generous heart or his keen sense of humor. After his Air Force career, he spent the next 3 decades plus as an entrepreneur building an insurance agency working with his son, other family members, and friends. He was a man of integrity, persistence, dedication and a born leader. He was driven to care for and guide his family. He had a successful life and was loved dearly. He lived a life focused on the principle of paying it forward and expecting others to do the same. His standard response to receiving gratitude for a gift given was, ”It’s my privilege.” He loved ice cream, baseball, horse racing, singing, dancing, great music and the smiles of his kids, whatever generation. If you needed him, he was there. He cheated death more than once and then navigated his final flight into the wild blue yonder on April 21, 2018. He leaves his 4 children, Givana Hartman (Stephen), Rhonda Magan (David), John Jr., and Lorrie Smith (Terryl), 7 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. A service with military honors will be held at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon California at 10:30 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2018, where he will be laid to rest next to the love of his life Frances.