St. FRANCISVILLE — A funeral mass for Richard Andrew Campbell Jr., who died peacefully at home Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015, surrounded by his family, will be at 11 a.m. today at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in St. Francisville.

Visitation will be from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the church.

Richard was born on Aug. 28, 1946, at Pensacola Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Fla.while his father was stationed at Eglin Air Force Base after the Second World War.

He enjoyed an idyllic childhood in Natchez with his parents, Alma and Richard “Dick” and his brother and sister.

In the woods surrounding his childhood home, Richard learned to hunt, fish, ride horses and love nature — a love that lasted throughout his life.

He was educated at both Cathedral School in Natchez and the Portsmouth Abbey School in Rhode Island. He received his undergraduate and law degrees from Louisiana State University, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity and president of the law school.

On June 28, 1969, Richard married the love of his life, Judy Lynn Lowe.

They raised their four children in Baton Rouge before moving to the Bluffs community in St. Francisville. He and Judy were the founders of Louisiana Hunters for the Hungry, to which he devoted many years of service. He had a passion for geology and he used his considerable skills in oil and gas exploration. Richard was a patient mentor, teacher and a fun-loving free spirit who took care to pass on his hard-earned knowledge and love of life to the next generation.

“Big Rich,” as he was called by his many grandchildren, will be greatly missed by them all. Big Rich was exceptionally close to his many nieces and nephews as well.

He was also a tremendous friend.

From Natchez to Portsmouth to Baton Rouge to St. Francisville – and in many points in between and beyond, Richard forged hundreds of strong relationships that sustained him throughout his life. Richard never met a stranger and was quick to share a laugh and a strong hug with anyone who needed one. His favorite places on earth were Davis Island and any place where Judy was.

Richard had a rock solid faith in Christ that sustained him through his life. “Thank you, Jesus!” he would exclaim at least once a day, and often many times more. Thank you Jesus, indeed, for giving us such a special spirit and true heart as Big Rich!

Survivors include his wife, Judy; four children, Anna Kathryne Kronenberger and husband Brian, Lauren Hughey and husband, Jim, Judith Jones and husband, Jason, and Richard Andrew Campbell III and wife, Heather; his brother Brian and wife, Donna; his sister Dale Fairbanks and husband Bill; brothers-in-law, Shelby Lowe and wife, Jenalie, and Keith Lowe and wife, Alice; sister-in-law Leah Lowe High and husband, John; grandchildren, Sophie, Joseph, Peter, Elena and Vivienne Kronenberger; Emma, Fletcher and Campbell Hughey; Jackson, Harper and Ava Jones and Andrew and Liza Campbell; and nephews and nieces, Cami, Gentry, Meredith, Will, Christen, Brian Douglas, Catherine, Kathryne, Kelli, Shelby, Jackson, Christen, Meghan, Hannah, Zachary, Travis, Kevin, Sam, Henry and Kathryne.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Richard’s honor to Hunters for the Hungry at hunters4hungrylouisiana.org.