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Stephen Campbell Obituary

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Stephen Campbell

Waco, TX

November 11, 1956 - July 14, 2012

Stephen Campbell Obituary

Steve Campbell, 55, of Venus, Texas passed away of natural causes July 14th while on a work assignment for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, doing what he loved best. Memorial services will be 2 pm, Friday, July 27, 2012 at OakCrest Funeral Home Chapel, 4520 Bosque Blvd., Waco, Texas with Rev. Wayne Williams officiating. A memorial video honoring his life will be shown. Steve was born Nov. 11, 1956 in Waco to Leroy and Frances Campbell. He graduated from LaVega High School in 1975 with the nickname of "Goochie". He then attended MCC and in 1983 earned a Bachelors of Education degree from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos. He served as a zoo educator in both Victoria and Waco, a museum educator in his beloved Strecker Museum, as well as a reference librarian in Waco. Steve began his career at TPWD in 1996 at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center as Education Services Manager. In addition to his contributions in volunteer management, he was the resident scuba diver for the aquarium presentation at the center. He carried his flair for entertainment and volunteer management skills into his role as the north Texas Aquatic Education Specialist. Since 1998, Steve brought creativity, laughter and lasting traditions to the angler education program. He used songs, theatrics, antics, and playful humor to encourage volunteer participation and fellowship. He co-produced a series of live web casts to hundreds of thousands of students, creating memorable characters such as "Sherlock Bones" "Bubba T. Bat" and "The Custodian of Time”. He trained hundreds of volunteers who then gave their time and talent to train hundreds of thousands of new, young anglers. Steve coordinated the Tackle Loaner program, placing fishing equipment for ready use at 37 of our state parks and community sites. In addition to being an Aquatic Education Specialist, he was an avid amateur herpetologist. His interest in herpetology began at the age of four and continued to grow as he served as a youth volunteer at Strecker Museum. He was active with the Athens Texas group then co-founded the Dallas-Fort Worth Herpetological Society. He was a regular speaker on snakes and reptiles to Texas master naturalists chapters in Waco and the Dallas Metroplex. Steve left us with many "Steveisms" and the catch phrase "Fish On!” Preceding him in death was his mother, Frances Campbell (1977); his maternal grandparents, George and Amanda Wyatt; and paternal grandparents, Aaron and Ruby Campbell. Stephen is survived by his father, Leroy Campbell; one brother, Robert Engholm; three sisters, Robin Wilson and husband, Mark, Lesia McGee and husband, Randy, and Betsy Fanning and husband Greg; thirteen nieces and nephews; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and many friends. He has made us laugh and touched our hearts. We will miss that twinkle in your eyes. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in his memory to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Conservation Education, 4200 Smith School Rd. Austin, TX 78744 or donate online at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/donate/to Conservation Education

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Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Stephen Campbell.