RICHARD “MR. CLEAN” CAMPBELL: GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Richard Campbell was a man of great stature in the Newtown community. He had the love and respect of the many people he came in contact with. He is known for a being a businessman who taught his family – and others – what they needed to do in order to be successful and not have to depend on anyone. Richard Campbell passed on August 10, 2022, leaving a legacy for his family and friends. He was 85 years old.
So many remember the impact Mr. Campbell had on their lives. Tom Coleman remembers first meeting him when he worked in the terrazzo business before going into the cement business. “He started his cement business in 1970 and worked on high rise buildings on Longboat Key and other places, and at different schools and businesses,” Coleman said. “He was well known throughout the State of Florida, and earned the name “Mr. Clean” because whenever you saw him, he was always well dressed and looked good. He was a great businessman and could fix just about anything you put in front of him. He was not my father but he was the only dad I knew.”
Tempo News Publisher Johnny Hunter, Sr. has fond memories of Campbell as well. “Richard was one of my childhood heroes,” he said. “He appeared to me as a very determined man. Regardless of life’s setbacks, he always emerged on top. He helped inspire me to follow my dream of being self-employed. He was also a caring man. When I was 17 years old, he let me borrow his brand new 1966 Pontiac Bonneville for my senior prom. That was significant to me but there were many other things that personified his character. Richard, myself and the late Ed James II started a motorcycle club named the Wheels of Sarasota. The club traveled around Florida, Georgia and Alabama racing motorcycles. What fun times we had.”
“My dad did the best he could for his family,” said his daughter Zena Johnson. “He taught us a lot and wanted to make sure his family was not dependent on anyone. He did not like laziness at all. You could not be around him and be a lazy person. Because of him, we are where we are today. He instilled in us a work ethic that we will never forgot.”
Art Larkins goes back to his college days and remembers the impact Campbell had on him. “When I was in college, Mr. Campbell really helped me out. Whenever I would come home, he always made sure I had what I needed. I remember he enjoyed hog head cheese and vanilla wafers and I would have to go to Jenkins’ store to get it for him while he worked. He had my back and running errands for him was nothing compared to what he did for me.”
Grandson Victor Johnson said his grandfather inspired him to be the best he could be. “I am a businessman today because of my grandfather,” he said. He had a high work ethic that he instilled in each of us. He empowered all people, not just his family. He left a legacy throughout all of Sarasota County.” Another grandson, Tavares Campbell, expressed the same sentiment. “The most important thing he taught me too was a work ethic. He always said be the lender and not the borrower; meaning to always have your own. My grandfather was dedicated to his family and he made you proud to be a Campbell.”
Robert Smith remembers thinking of Campbell as somewhat of a renegade. “He had the motorcycles, nice cars, dressed real nice and kept a lot of money in his pocket,” he laughed. “He was one of the first Blacks to have a trucking business in Newtown. He took us fishing as young kids and even though he wasn’t a good fisherman himself, he always had the latest equipment – the top of the line stuff. He was always competitive and wanted to be number one. But what inspired me most about him on a personal level was when he talked about his flaws and the things he used to do and that he had accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior. He gave me encouraging words to keep doing what I’m doing in the church and for my family. That meant a lot to me.”
When Campbell got sick, his family and the community came together to help take care of him. “I wanted him to stay at home rather than go into a facility,” said his wife, Charley Spencer-Campbell. “It became a family effort. The generosity he showed others came back to him because they were there when we needed them most. It was truly a blessing to see the outpouring of love for him, people remembering all the things he did for them. He was an awesome husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was not a selfish person and would help anybody he could. I am blessed to have known him as my husband.”
Richard was born May 2, 1937 to Allen Campbell and Flossie Mathis. He is survived by his devoted wife, Charley Spencer-Campbell; his sons, Richard Campbell, Jr., Zena Johnson, Ronald Campbell, Sherman Campbell, Ernest Williams, all of Sarasota, Cary Campbell, Andre Spencer, Atlanta, Georgia and Geoffery Gilliam, St. Petersburg; Godsons, Wesley and Johnnie Tunstall and Goddaughter, Marcella Jones all of Sarasota; a brother, Ernest Campbell, a sister, Sandra Jones of Casselberry, Florida, and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other sorrowing friends. He is predeceased by his children, Angela Williams and Mark Williams. A viewing will be held on Friday, August 19th at Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church, 3099 Osprey Avenue, Sarasota from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The service will be Saturday, August 20th at Light of the World International Church, 3809 Chapel Drive
