Obituary

Monsignor John G. Campbell
August 3, 1929 – August 23, 2025
Mission Viejo, CA

Monsignor John “Jack” Campbell, 96, of Mission Viejo, California, passed away peacefully on August 23, 2025, after a brief illness. John was born on August 3, 1929, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to his parents, John P. Campbell and Elizabeth Rudden Campbell. His father’s family immigrated from Donegal, Ireland to United States in the 1890s. His mother immigrated from Augnacliff, Longford County, Ireland in 1923. Monsignor Campbell’s parents, John and Elizabeth died in 1954 and 1997 respectively. Monsignor Campbell had three younger siblings: his brother Harry R. Campbell, his sister Catherine Marie “Kitty” Feidler, and his brother James P. Campbell. Monsignor Campbell is survived by his brother Harry and his wife Ann, and Jim’s widow, Judith Billings Campbell along with 13 nieces and nephews, 33 great nieces and nephews, and 39 great-great nieces and nephews. Monsignor Campbell dearly loved his family and spent many holidays with them.

Monsignor Campbell had a wonderful childhood in Philadelphia and told many stories of his exploits as a child. On one occasion at the age of ten, he and a friend decided to become hobos and catch a train to California. With a blanket full of food attached to a long pole, they set off for the train tracks to catch the train. Upon finding the train tracks long abandoned, they did find John’s father waiting with his car for them. So much for being a hobo.

Monsignor’s family moved to Santa Monica, California in 1941 where his father was employed by the government. There are many stories to be told of time at St. Monica’s and during the war effort in the early 40’s. At the age of 14, Monsignor was a runner for the Civil Defense effort monitoring the coast of California. On one occasion, when the alarm sounded, he grabbed his bicycle and reported for duty. When confronted by the group leader, he asked what he was needed to do and was promptly told to go home and get under his bed. That was the sum of his Civil Defense effort. At 14, he was also the personal chauffer to Monsignor O’Flaherty, the pastor of St. Monica’s. Quite an accomplishment for a 14-year-old.

Monsignor attended Saint Monica’s school before moving on with his calling to Los Angeles College Junior Seminary. Monsignor Campbell was ordained for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles on April 27, 1955, graduating from St John’s Seminary, Camarillo, CA. There were 25 priests in his class and only one remains today- Fr. Colm O’Ryan, Beverly Hills, CA. His first assignment as a priest was to St. Robert Bellarmine Church, Burbank, CA. While this posting was a challenging one for him, Monsignor accomplished many achievements. He was sent to Catholic University in Washington D.C. where he earned the title of Jurist of Canon Law. While working at the parish, he also worked many hours a day at the Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, adjudicating cases. He worked for ten years in the tribunal and then in 1976 he was transferred to St. Anne’s Parish in Santa Ana, CA. Several weeks after he was transferred to St. Anne’s, Orange County became its own diocese and Monsignor was the first pastor of the parish under the new Diocese of Orange. Monsignor Campbell remained as pastor 12 years. During his years at St. Anne’s and with his pedigree as a tribunal judge, he worked for the Diocese of Orange as a primary member of that tribunal for many years. He was a mentor to many priests who followed in his footsteps. In 1988, Monsignor was transferred to the Mission Basilica in San Juan Capistrano. During his time there, he became close to many families through the Mission School where he loved to hang out and read to the students. Monsignor Campbell remained at the Mission until he retired in 2000. St. Kilian Parish, Mission Viejo, and St. Nicholas Parish, Laguna Woods both benefitted for many years from his faithful service as a retired priest.

Monsignor Campbell loved to fish and golf and spent many days on the ocean and at the links. He is credited for having three holes-in-one at the second hole of San Clemente Municipal Golf Course. He spent his final years of his life on earth praying, [Especially the Rosary], visiting and being visited by innumerable number of friends and family, and watching baseball and golf on television. He very much appreciated Marie and her staff at Floresta Cottage for their care in his final days.

It is only fitting that many notable clergy who were among his superiors, friends and co-workers are recognized here: Colm O’Ryan [“Last Man Standing”], Cardinal James McIntyre, Fr. Eamon O’Gorman, Msgr. John Sammon, Fr. Paul Martin, Fr. Jim Dunning, Fr. Jack Sewell, Fr. George Blaise, Bishop Kevin Vann, Bishop Timothy Freyer, Bishop Thanh Nguyen, Fr. Angelos Sebastian, Fr. Brandon Lopez, Fr. Joe Knerr, Fr. Ted Olson, Fr. Jim Fry, and many, many more.

Vigil service will take place 4:00-5:30pm on Thursday, September 25 and Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am on Friday, September 26, both St. Kilian Catholic Church in Mission Viejo. Graveside service will be at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Orange at 2:30pm on Friday following Mass.