His mother was active in the community and her elected position as county treasurer helped the family survive the Great Depression.

[1] Following his 1933 graduation from Tooele High School, his interest in sports led him to attend Snow Junior College in Ephraim, Utah.

From 1944 to 1946, during World War II, Campbell served in the Chaplain Corps of the United States Army as a First Lieutenant.

He attended Chaplains School at Harvard University and was assigned to the 71st Infantry Division and received two battle stars.

[1] After completing his education, Campbell taught at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, until joining the history faculty of BYU from 1956 to 1980.