Ray Campbell was born and raised on a farm in Southern Illinois. Following high school, he served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, stationed in England and Illinois. 

In 1956, Ray received his B.S. degree from the University of Illinois, then joined Magnolia Oil Company (subsequently acquired by Mobil Oil Company) as a landman, initially in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska, and later in New Orleans and Houston.  

Smart, ambitious, and with a strong work ethic borne of farm life, Ray began his workdays before sunrise and while working full-time earned an M.B.A. from Loyola University of New Orleans in 1963 and a J.D. degree from South Texas College of Law in 1968.  

After receiving his law degree, Ray worked in the legal departments at Southern Minerals and Mobil Oil before going into private practice as an oil and gas attorney. For decades Mr. Campbell was the senior partner in a successful oil and gas law firm.  

In his 60s, he “retired” from that firm but continued to practice with other firms and then as a sole practitioner. Ray finally fully retired from practicing law at age 88 because, as he said, he had outlived all his clients. 

Ray served for many years on the board of Bethany Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Houston, including as chair of the board. He was a member of the Petroleum Club and various landman and legal organizations. In addition to his family, church, and law practice, Ray’s great joy was the cattle ranch he built and ran (in later years, with his son Joe) outside Eagle Lake, Texas. One of his greatest joys later in life was sitting on his porch at the ranch with a cigar looking over his beloved Brangus cattle. 

Ray Campbell was preceded in death by his parents Joseph Orlie Campbell and Thelma Skinner Campbell; sister Juanita Firth; and brother James Campbell. Mr. Campbell is survived by his beloved wife of 73 years, Treva Eblin Campbell of Sugar Land; daughter Paula Campbell Millian (John) of Middleburg, Virginia; son Joseph Alan Campbell (Donna) of Friendswood, grandchildren Courtney, Andrew, Matthew, Nickolas, Joseph, and Kristin; and great-grandson Keanu.  

Mr. Campbell will be buried in a private ceremony on Feb. 24. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Eagle Lake Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 801, Eagle Lake, TX 77434, or Rice Medical Center, Employee Volunteers, P.O. Box 277, Eagle Lake, TX 77434.

Please address all donations to the attention of Kurt Sunderman.