Howard Dale Campbell, 88, of Orrick, Missouri passed away on February 25, 2026 at NorthCare Hospice House in North Kansas City, Missouri.
Howard, or Dale as most knew him, was born in Springfield, Illinois on February 14, 1938 to Howard and Jessie (Foster) Campbell. Dale grew up in Illinois and graduated from Hillsboro High School in Hillsboro, Illinois and then attended Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois for two years studying physics. After college, Dale would go on to serve his country as a 1st Lieutenant in the Air Force from 1961 through 1965. He was on alert during the Cuban Missile Crisis and flew for the Strategic Air Command (SAC). After leaving the Air Force in 1965, Dale would begin his career as a commercial airline pilot for Trans World Airlines (TWA) where he would fly as a co-pilot and captain until his retirement in 1991. In Kansas City, Missouri on October 2nd, 1976, Dale would marry his wife of nearly fifty years, Jo Ellen (Hall) Campbell. Together, they would have one son, Eric Dale Campbell. Dale had a passion for music and loved the trombone, a lifetime interest in history, and frequently could be found tending to his garden just below their home.
Dale is survived by his wife, Jo Ellen (Hall) Campbell, of the home; one son, Eric Dale Campbell and wife, Olga, of Lee's Summit, Missouri; a brother, R. Joe Campbell and wife, Mary Clayton, and one cousin, Lois Rettberg Warrington along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Dale is preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Jessie (Foster) Campbell; one brother, Jerry Campbell; and one cousin Col. Don Rettberg.
Services for Dale will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Gowing Funeral Home in Orrick, Missouri. A visitation for the family to receive friends will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. Military honors and funeral service will begin directly after the visitation at 4 p.m. with Pastor Art Endsley officiating. A private interment will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation in care of Gowing Funeral Home, PO Box 169, Orrick, Missouri 64077.