Father looks forward.....1990

BOYD, CAMPBELL, MAY, BOYD, FINTON

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 12/13/2024 at 08:27:10

1990 FE ??

Father looks forward after tragic wreck

By JOHN W. KENNEDY
Ledger news editor

DOUDS - Phil Campbell has seen his share of grief, bitterness and suffering in six years as a pastor, but nothing as tragic as the situation he encountered Thursday afternoon.

Campbell and his wife Kathy lost their sons Brandon Campbell and Austin Boyd, both 5, in a traffic accident 3 1/2 miles south of their Douds home.

The Campbells had adopted Brandon at birth and Austin Boyd had been a foster child in their home for 14 months.

"Everything they did they did together," Campbell, 38, said at his home Friday afternoon. "They were made for each other."

Freakish crash

Campbell recounted the circumstances of the fatal accident on the crest of a hill on a gravel road. Family members were in both of the vehicles which crashed.

The boys were in the back seat of an eastbound 1980 Honda driven by their aunt, Shelly May, 22, Douds. May was the supervisor at New Life Academy, a 16-student Christian school that Campbell had started at his church, Bethel Worship Center, last September.

May's sister Kathy Campbell was a front seat passenger. They were returning from a field trip to Memphis, Mo. Mrs. Campbell, 37, taught her sons in a preschool-kindergarten program at the school where her husband is principal.

The car met a westbound 1979 GMC pickup driven by 17-year-old Phillip Davis. Davis and the Campbells' other son, 17-year-old son Brian, both students at the Christian school, had been sent on an errand by Phil Campbell to pick up some firewood at Pilcher Bros. Sawmill.

The fatal crash occurred at 4 p.m.

"It just appears Shelly swerved to miss him," Campbell said. According to the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office, the pickup struck the car just behind the driver's door and "literally tore the car in two." The boys died instantly.

Brian rushed out of the pickup to free his mother from the car. Davis ran to a nearby house to phone for emergency help. May had to be ....(missing)

Aunt still 'critical'
She remained in critical condition this morning at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City where she was transported by ambulance Thursday night. She is in a coma and hasn't regained consciousness since the accident. She suffered head and internal injuries.

Mrs. Campbell also was taken to Iowa City by ambulance. Her husband brought her home Thursday afternoon.

Remembering boys

"It didn't take much to satisfy the boys," Campbell said. "They just loved to play. They loved to be outside."

May spent a lot of time at the Campbell home reading to her nephews. The boys had a strong interest in reading because there was no television set in the home. They also liked to work puzzles, ride bicycles and play with cars and trucks, which filled the front porch of the Campbell home. Some of the toys will be buried with the boys.

"This week I spent a lot of time with them," Campbell said. "I didn't understand it but I know why now. God knows we miss them."

Campbell also understands why he saved all the work the boys brought home from church and school.

The Campbells were in the process of adopting Austin, one of 14 children they have had over the years.

Despite the tragedy, Campbell isn't about to give up on the ministry, the school or offering a home to children.

"We love foster kids," Campbell said. "God will give them back to us."

The Campbells moved in June 1984 to Birmingham where he was minister at the Free Methodist Church. They moved to Douds in December 1988 and had started the independent Bethel Worship Center, in part, because of the desire for a church-related school.

"We're not going to quit now," Campbell said. "This will bring us closer together."

The Campbells moved in June 1984 to Birmingham where he was minister at the Free Methodist Church. They moved to Douds in December 1988 and had started the independent Bethel Worship Center, in part, because of the desire for a church-related school.

"We're not going to quit now," Campbell said. "This will bring us closer together.:

Funerals Monday

Brandon Charles Campbell was born Sept. 11, 1984, in Mount Ayr. In (See BOYS, p.6)

BOYS: Funerals Monday
*continued from p. 1

addition to his parents, he is survived by brother Brian, 17, sister Brenda, 15, and grandparents Ward and Carmen Campbell and John and Carol May, all of Mount Ayr.

Austin Joseph Boyd was born July 11, 1984, in Keokuk. He is survived by his mother Cindy Boyd, grandparents Charles and Vivian Boyd and great-grandparents Bud Finton and Louise Boyd, all of Keokuk.

The funeral services for the boys will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Bethel Worship Center southwest of Douds with the Rev. Dean Grant officiating. Family visitation will be from 7-9 p.m. Sunday at Pedrick Funeral Home in Douds. Memorials to New Life Academy may be left at the funeral home.

Brandon will be buried in Leando Cemetery south of Douds. Another service will be held for Austin at 11 a.m. Tuesday at DeJong Funeral Home in Keokuk with visitation at the funeral home from 6-9 p.m. Monday. Burial will be in Keokuk.

"Our home isn't going to be the same," Campbell says. "But you have to accept that they're gone."