PATRICK JOE "PAT" CAMPBELL, 58, of Sonora, TX, passed
from this life on April 4, 2012, with burial in Evergreen
Cemetery at Ranger.
Pat was born April 14, 1953 in Ranger, TX, where he
grew up and began his life of volunteerism. While still
in high school he followed his grandfather's footsteps
and joined the volunteer fire department. Max Ohr, his
grandfather, served the Ranger VFD as chaplin from its
inception until his death at age 75. Pat graduated from
Ranger High School in the Class of 1971. In May of 1775,
Pat took his lifetime friend, Butch Bollinger (RHS-1974)
as his wife. He received his EMT Certification later
that year and they moved to Sonora where he quickly
began serving with Sutton County EMS. He achieved his EMT-
Intermediate level in 1996 and then his EMT-Paramedic. He
joined the Sonora VFD where he served in that capacity
until his death. He wrote many grants which have awarded
Sonora VFD much of the equipment in use at this time. For
37 years Pat served his community through volunteerism.
He helped pioneer EMS training in Sutton County and the
surrounding area. Through his efforts, many have been
trained, encouraged and lead to the same paths of service
that Pat believed in. His love for his community meant
that if you called-Pat responded-no matter the time or
what he was doing. After serving as the director of
Sutton County EMS for many years, Pat went to work for
the Texas Dept. of State Health Services as an EMS
Specialist in EMS Compliance.
His many accomplishments include: Life member and Past
Master of Dee Ora Masonic Lodge #715, 32nd degree Scottish
Rite Mason, member of the Suez Shrine Temple in San Angelo,
member of the State Fireman's and Fire Marshal's Association
of Texas, Gene West Memorial EMT of the year 1988, Sonora
VFD Fireman of the year 1995, Mayor's award of excellence
1996, Gene West Memorial EMT of the year 2001, Sonora VFD
Fireman of the year 2010, Sutton County Game Dinner Associ-
ation President. Pat touched many lives not only with his
hands, but also with those of all the others that he has
inspired over the years. Pat was much loved and will be
dearly missed.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Francis Ohr
(RHS-1944); and father, Morris A. Campbell (RHS-1943).
He leaves behind his wife of 36 years Jaye Harlene "Butch"
Campbell; three brothers, twin Michael Ray Campbell (RHS-
1971) of Laredo, James Morris Campbell (RHS-1981) of Irving
and Brian Lee Campbell of Belton; sisters by marriage Kim
Jackson (EHS-1980) and Mary Beth Hensley (EHS-1982), both
of Tuscola; many nieces and nephews; and his four-legged
rescued children, Sophie and Pedro.