Leslie Dunlop Campbell, Jr.

Campbell, Leslie D., Jr. Les passed away peacefully on December 26, 2020, one month shy of his 96th birthday. He was a self-described “country-loving boy,” who lived in and loved Hanover County his entire life. He grew up on his parent’s farm with his five siblings, the oldest of the four boys. From a young age, Les was responsible for running the farm—milking cows and tending chickens—and helping to look after his younger brothers. He became a strong and respected family leader; yet he loved a good laugh, swimming in the Newfound river, hunting squirrels, and running barefooted from April ‘til October.

After serving in the navy during World War II, Les attended Randolph Macon College, then went to law school at the University of Richmond, T.C. Williams School of Law. During his lengthy legal career, he practiced law in Ashland, tirelessly assisting the community for over 50 years. He served as a substitute judge, president of the 15th Circuit Bar, and was appointed to the Executive Committee of the State Bar Council. He entered politics when elected Commonwealth’s Attorney in Hanover in 1955, serving until 1963, when he resigned to run for the Virginia State Senate in what was then the 29th district. As senator (1964-1976), he was chairman of the Transportation Committee, senior member of the Finance Committee, and chairman of the YMCA Model General Assembly.

Les was committed to the Hanover community and served with unending passion. He was a member of the board of directors of Hanover National and First Virginia banks; a member of the Kiwanis, Ruritan, Hanover and other clubs, and was part of the committee that revitalized Camptown Races for the community.

Les loved sports and competition. He played football at Randolph Macon, quarterbacked a semi-professional team in Richmond, and loved the Redskins. He loved sailing, and racing his cougar catamaran, the “Sarah Scott,” at Fishing Bay Yacht club. In 1969, he traveled to Clear Lake, Iowa, where he won the cougar class national championship, and in his later years, he cruised his “Jenny Dee” catamaran in the Bahamas. He played cards and cribbage; he played tennis—a lot. He loved the camaraderie on the Hanover Country Club tennis team, and played a part in numerous victories.

With abundant energy, Les had many hobbies and undertook innumerable family and personal projects. He built his beloved home, “Lochland,” overlooking Campbell’s lake. He enjoyed ice skating and hosted community skating parties. He was an avid gardener, growing the best tomatoes around, and taught his children to love vegetables, even though they grumbled when picking the peas.... He loved farming, fishing, and flying airplanes. He inspired his children with his creativity—always building and inventing, and frequently saying, “you can do anything you put your mind to.”

Les definitely embraced his Scottish heritage and reveled in family history. He quoted poetry, enjoyed musicals, and dancing. He enjoyed countryside bicycle rides, especially in his later years. He loved his Lord, his church, his community, his friends, his extended family and his children with all his heart.

Les was preceded in death by his parents, Norine Dickson Campbell and Leslie D. Campbell, Sr.; his sisters Norine Gregory and Harriet Little, and brother Will. He is survived by his brothers George and Hugh Campbell, and Hugh’s wife Sally; his children Sarah [Sally] Campbell and her husband Frank Green, Mary Scott Soo, Dee Campbell, and Virginia [Jenny] Campbell and her husband Kevin McLaughlin; his former wife, Eleanor Campbell; his grandchildren Adrianne, Lindsay, Clare, Phoebe and Wren, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He and his family are overwhelmingly grateful for the loving care provided by long time caregivers Gale Thomas, Claudine Dabney, Sandra Weatherless and numerous others. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to The Fork Church, 12566 Old Ridge Road, Doswell, VA 23047, or the Montpelier Center for Arts and Education, P.O. Box 82, Montpelier, VA, 23192. A private graveside service will take place at The Fork Church, Episcopal cemetery on January 2, 2021. A community memorial celebration of Les’s life will be held at a future date.