Frank J. Campana

Frank J. Campana passed away peacefully Sunday March 9, 2025 at his home in Durango, CO at the age of 90. Frank was born to Joseph and Helen Campana on June 23, 1934 in Garfield Heights Ohio. The family moved to Louisville Colorado in 1935 where Frank met and married his high school sweetheart Katherine Smith.

Frank and Katherine were married on June 13, 1954 and moved to Greeley, Colorado where Frank attended the University of Northern Colorado. During his last year of college, Frank reported for 6 months of service in the Army reserves at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Upon his return, he graduated with a teaching degree and moved to Norwood, Colorado for his first teaching job as the business and vocational teacher. Frank and Katherine moved to Durango in 1963. Frank taught typing and other business classes at both Smiley Junior High and Durango High School. In addition, he facilitated the photography club and produced the Durango High School yearbook (The Toltec) for many years. Throughout his career as an educator he coached multiple sports, most notably Babe Ruth Baseball, as well as umpiring baseball and officiating basketball. During the summer months Frank worked as a Forest Service employee, spending his work weeks at the Columbine Ranger station by Purgatory monitoring campgrounds in the San Juan Mountains. Frank finished his education career at Durango Senior High School in 1987, retiring after 30 years of teaching and advocating for vocational education.

Frank was active in the Civitans organization as well as a lifetime member of the Durango Elks Lodge. He was an avid outdoorsman and traveler. He spent his free time hunting, fishing, camping, bowling and playing golf well into his late 80's. He was a skilled craftsman, handcrafting many projects in his workshop as well as teaching and mentoring his grandchildren or fixing something for someone.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 66 years Katherine Campana and his grandson Taylor Lau. He is survived by his daughter Kathleen (Ernie) Lau, sons Brian (Lisa) Campana and Bret (Kris) Campana. Grandchildren Joshua (Amanda) Lau, Danielle (Chance) Schoser, Mitch (Christine) Campana, Tyler (Emily) Campana, Lauryn (Kyle) McWhirter, Nick (Brittany) Campana, Michael (Shyann) Campana, Ashley (Davis) Vendal, Zach (Natalia) Campana, Mia (Thomas) Virtue as well as 22 great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held during the summer of 2025. The family requests in lieu of flowers please consider planting a tree or donating to the Durango Education Foundation.