Gustavo "Gus" Adolfo Campos Jr. was born in Arizona on January 14 th , 1956, to Gustavo and Beatriz Campos. He grew up in San Pedro, California, with his parents and brother, Luis Campos.

As an adult, he enjoyed skiing in Big Bear, driving to Mexicali for Mexican food, and country line dancing. He was fondly referred to as the "Black Russian," after his signature drink when hanging out with friends.

Gus started his shipyard career in 1977 as a Boilermaker Apprentice at the Naval Shipyard in Long Beach, CA. He was promoted to Boilermaker Foreman, and shortly after, was part of the Safety Division—first as the HAZMAT Program Manager, and later as the Structural Production Superintendent. During his time in Safety, he single-handedly initiated and developed an automated HAZMAT program designed to maintain hazardous material inventories. He received numerous accolades at work and was recognized as "Hispanic Employee of the Year."

In 1984, he met his future-wife, Concepcion, in San Diego, while she was visiting her aunt. They were married in 1985. One year after their wedding, they welcomed their first-born daughter, Melissa, then moved to Moreno Valley. For 10 years, Gus would wake up early and drive a carpool van from Moreno Valley to Long Beach in a tiring commute. He was a hard worker with a strong work ethic who always strived to provide the best for his family. When the Long Beach Shipyard closed in 1996, he became the Safety Manager for Commander Navy Region Southwest in San Diego.

During the closure of the Naval Shipyard, Gus helped create a program called the Priority Placement Program, which supported Shipyard employees as they applied for new positions at other locations. He made sure all the workers at the Shipyard had the resources to find employment. This speaks to his generosity of spirit—the way he looked out for everyone and freely gave away his time.

As a father, Gus was very supportive. He guided Melissa along her path of education from college through medical school. He encouraged his second-born child, Valerie, through Marine Corps bootcamp and deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Gus was a rock for his youngest daughter, Priscilla, who gave him the gift of his first grandson, Marco, while she earned her degree to become a pre-school teacher.

As Gus was a great father, he was an exceptional husband. He was always there for the four women who were his universe. He tended to his daughters' every need, from changing their diapers to taking care of them when they were sick so that his wife could rest. As his children grew, he helped them with schoolwork and led them into adulthood, offering his wisdom and advice. His dedication and devotion as the patriarch of his family is no surprise to those who knew him. Throughout his life, he looked to help others before himself. Gus was a man who made sacrifices for those in need.

He spent his later years enjoying his work enough to delay retirement and delighting in his grandchildren. He relished his role as grandfather. Every birthday, Father's Day, and Christmas, his favorite gift was their "huggies". His grandchildren meant the world to him, and he was a constant fixture at their sports games and school activities. He even helped with common core math homework!

In June 2021, Gus was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He underwent IV chemotherapy and chemoradiation at UCSD Moore's Cancer Center. Unfortunately, the cancer spread before he was able to get surgery to remove his tumor. On Saturday, March 5 th , 2022, he died peacefully at home on hospice, surrounded by his family.

He leaves behind his wife, Concepcion, after 36 years of marriage. He is also survived by his brother, Luis Campos and his half-sister, Alma Lopez. His legacy will live on in his three daughters and their families: Melissa and her husband, Chris; Valerie and her husband, Greg, and their children, Elijah and Camilla; and Priscilla and her children, Marco and Leo.

Gus was predeceased by his parents, Gustavo and Beatriz Campos.

Gus will forever be dearly missed by all who knew him. We will always remember the bearded man in a
baseball hat with a kind smile.

There will be a viewing on Saturday March 19th , 2022, from 9am to 10am and Mass at 10am at St.
Gregory the Great Catholic Church.