Former Idaho Falls mayor and educator remembered as funny, ‘bigger than life’ man who loved to golf

IDAHO FALLS – Tom Campbell, a former Idaho Falls educator, city councilman and mayor, passed away on Friday, Feb. 21.

The 88-year-old died of natural causes, according to his son, Matt.

“It’s heartbreaking for us to lose such a great man,” Matt tells EastIdahoNews.com. “He was a great example to all of us and we are going to miss him dearly.”

Campbell’s daughter, Debbie Moore, says her dad had a sharp mind until the end. He was calling his grandchildren by name and even remembered their birthdays in the finals years and months of his life.

His funeral is Saturday, March 1 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Brentwood Ward Chapel at 2040 Brentwood Drive.

Matt and his sisters describe their dad as a patient, “bigger than life” man who loved to golf and always had a joke to tell.

“He’d always start it with ‘This is a true story,'” Moore says. “He was very patient and motivational to all the grandkids. He taught them all how to golf and ski.”

Matt’s sister, Shelley, says her dad was a natural teacher, a quality that suited him well in his career as an educator in Bonneville School District 93.

Campbell was a spiritual man, Matt says, who was devoted to his faith. He served in various church leadership positions throughout his life and served a mission with his wife later on.

“He was funny, he was spiritual, he was influential,” says Matt. “He was just a well-rounded, good human being.”

Campbell’s early life

Campbell was born Oct. 5, 1936 to Herbert and Effie Campbell, according to his obituary. He grew up in a “humble Rigby farmhouse,” where he survived pneumonia by the warmth of a wood stove early in life.

He attended Idaho Falls High School with his future wife, Beverly Allgood. They were married on Aug. 25, 1954 and had four children together.

Campbell obtained a teaching certificate from Ricks College before graduating from Brigham Young University. He later earned a masters and doctorate degree from Utah State University.

He began his career as a teacher in the 1950s at what is now American Heritage Charter School. He taught science to a class of fourth and sixth-graders, and later coached basketball and taught band.

Moore says an education scholarship is what prompted her dad to become a teacher. Watching students’ “eyes light up with knowledge” is what he found most rewarding, Shelley says.

He went on to work as a school principal at Lincoln Elementary and Bonneville High School.

Someone convinced him to run for City Council in 1975.

“He had two brothers who worked for the Idaho Falls Police Department. He was standing on the sidewalk in front of the city building one day. They were discussing all the issues going on and wished they had someone who could help them,” Shelley explains. “Jokingly, he said, ‘Maybe I should run for city council.'”

That was enough to garner community support. Before he knew it, Shelley says he was on the ballot and got elected by a landslide.

Two years later, he successfully ran for mayor — a position he held for the next 16 years.

Campbell’s accomplishments as mayor

Matt cites numerous things his dad accomplished as mayor. The construction of the Wes Deist Aquatic Center and the Idaho Falls Public Library are among them. He also played a significant role in the city’s hyrdroelectric projects, including the construction of the Gem State Hydroelectric plant south of town.

“One of the reasons Idaho Falls has such low power rates is because of his vision in … using hydroelectric power,” Matt says.

The construction of Sage Lakes Golf Course was Campbell’s proudest achievement.

But Shelley says the most visible accomplishment that still has an impact on a daily basis is the development of the green belt. When Campbell was first elected mayor, Shelley says the west side of the river was overcrowded with weeds and willow trees.

Campbell is responsible for all the development on the west side and the belt that circles around the river.

During the last year of his fourth term, District 93 offered Campbell the chance to serve as superintendent. Excited at the prospect of returning to education, Campbell resigned as mayor with four months left in his term to begin work in this capacity.

During his tenure, he acquired funding for repairs to many of the district’s rundown school buildings. He officially retired in 1998 after five years as superintendent.

‘A lasting legacy’

Regardless of where he served, Matt says his dad was a beloved member of the community who had a tremendous influence and impact on people.

There are many things Matt and his siblings will miss about their dad, but what they’ll miss most is his companionship and wisdom.

Shelley says her dad always encouraged her to finish her education. She graduated from college summa cum laude about five years ago after dropping out years ago. Her dad “cried like a baby” at her graduation.

Shelley’s oldest daughter lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming and has run for office multiple times because of Campbell’s influence in her life. Though she’s never been elected, Shelley says Tom taught her daughter to “fight for what she believes in and to stand up for what she knew was right.”

“She told me her grandpa is the single most influential person in her life,” Shelley says. “That’s the impact he had (on our lives).”

“Campbell’s unwavering leadership left a lasting legacy that continues to influence and shape this community, as well as improve the quality of life for our citizens every day,” Mayor Rebecca Casper writes in a statement to EastIdahoNews.com. “We (are grateful for) all those years of public service.”

Campbell is preceded in death by his wife and a daughter, Kenda. He leaves behind his children, 12 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson who was born days before Campbell’s passing.

His funeral will start at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Read his obituary here.

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