Harvey A. Campbell, born in Tyler, TX, graduated from Tyler High School at age sixteen, and was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate in chemical engineering from the University of Texas. He became lifelong friends with Professor John McKetta, who asked Harvey to stay and teach, yet Harvey opted for industry. He was a petrochemical executive whose career spanned locations in New York, Kansas, West Virginia & Texas; he presented and testified as an industry expert before federal and multiple state legislatures. Semi-retired, he continued working as a consultant for 23 different companies serving as a director of two corporations.
Harvey started his career with Celanese as a process engineer, then joined Texas Butadiene where he became plant manager. After the company was acquired by Sinclair, he was transferred to corporate headquarters in NYC; he stayed after Sinclair was acquired by Atlantic Richfield. Dr. McKetta then recommended Harvey to Vulcan Materials and his family accepted the move. He joined Vulcan as vice president. Later he served as executive vice-president of Texas Oil and Chemical Terminal, then executive vice president of Howell Corporation and president of Howell Technologies.
He met his love, Mary Starr Joseph, on her front porch when Harvey visited her brother who went to seminary with Harvey’s cousin. They married two years later and her brother, Fr. Louis Joseph, performed the wedding ceremony. They raised four children and celebrated their 58th anniversary last March.
Harvey loved to sing and dance, but his greatest love was his faith and his family. Harvey has been a member of St. Anne’s church since 1979, was president of its 49ers club and also a member of Resurrection choir.
Harvey leaves his loving wife, his beloved children Elizabeth, Karen and spouse Tom Balbierz, Dr. Denise and spouse Dr. Mark Scott, and his son Anthony Campbell. Grandchildren Dr. Kathryn Balbierz Sobba and spouse Neal Sobba, Justin Balbierz, and Brian, Brett, and Blaire Scott and numerous cherished nieces and nephews.
A gathering of Mr. Campbell’s family and friends will be from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 17, 2015, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A memorial mass will be at 1:00 p.m., Friday, December 18, 2015, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Avenue, Beaumont. Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery, Tyler, Texas at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 19, 2015. Honorary pallbearers will be Kyle Killebrew, Tom Balbierz, Mark Scott, Justin Balbierz, Brian Scott, and Brett Scott.
