YC Loses Dear Friend

The York College family was saddened by Friday’s news that Dolores Campbell (86) passed away Thursday night, January 24. Serving YC students from 1958-1975, Dolores worked with the Girls’ Mission Group, pep club, cheerleaders, and social clubs, eventually serving as dean of women.

Dolores and her husband Colis were the first inductees into the York College Sports Hall of Fame in 2011. Most recently, they were honored last week at the dedication of the Colis and Dolores Campbell Activity Center, a 15,600 square-foot student activity facility

While Colis’s main role for his 17-year tenure at YC was head basketball coach and athletic director, he didn’t minister to the athletes alone. Dolores was an integral part of the team as she cooked for and looked after the players and cheerleaders, many of whom called her “mom,” said Charlie Watts, a forward on the ’65 conference championship basketball team. For their quiet, continuous acts of service, players loved and admired both Colis and Dolores immensely, he said. “They gave a great deal of their lives and time to York, and I know how much it meant to those of us who were here.”

At last Friday’s dedication ceremony, Watts talked about his experiences living with the Campbells. While he was a student, he lived in the upstairs of the Campbell’s house along with seven other male YC students. “Now I think, ‘how on earth did they put up with that rowdy bunch?’” Watts said with a chuckle. “They were people who made sacrifices and people who did what was necessary for the school. As I look back on it, I think they must’ve had nerves of steel and the patience of Job. On this day, my prayer is that every young person would be blessed in this life by encountering people like the Campbells.”

After leaving York College in 1975, the Campbells were involved in ministry for more than 20 years with Colis preaching for various congregations in Texas, Oklahoma, and lastly in Kearney, Nebraska. They retired to Superior, Nebraska where Colis would still preach occasionally at the Nelson Church of Christ and teach a couple of Bible classes each week.

Memorial services will be held this Thursday 10:00 AM January 31, at the Church of Christ at 302 E 25th Street, Kearney, NE 68847. Robert Lawrence will be officiating. Burial will take place at a later date. Please keep Colis and the entire Campbell family in your prayers.

Obituary