Donald James 'DJ' Campbell, 72

Donald James Campbell, “DJ,” passed away at his home in Harrison, Idaho, on Aug. 18, 2026. He was born May 18, 1954, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to Donald Paul and Ruth Anne Campbell. He grew up in Coeur d’Alene with his parents and two sisters, enjoying an extended family with deep roots in the area.

At 19, DJ joined the U.S. Navy and served as a corpsman at Keyport Naval Hospital in Washington. From there, he transferred to Norfolk, Va., where he served as a Navy SEAL in the Atlantic.

In 1977, he and his wife moved to the property in Harrison that he had purchased from his grandparents many years before. There, he built a log cabin from trees he cut on the property and lived the rest of his life. Their daughter, Cassandra, was born there and grew up loving the country and the cabin as he did.

DJ’s long, varied work career began by assisting a local surveyor in the woods for a week at a time. He then built decks, docks and, later, homes. Before retirement, he worked in commercial refrigeration in Spokane, Lewiston, and Pinehurst. His clients, friends, and family loved and respected him for his sense of humor, kindness, and integrity. He was always the first one there when someone needed help.

He leaves behind his daughter, Cassandra; his sisters, Mary Ruth and Marta; his grandchildren, Morgan and August; and his nieces and nephew: Shannon, Heather, Dakota, and Jackson. 

A celebration of life will be held the weekend of Oct. 4 at the cabin. Please visit DJ’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.