David Robert Campbell, Sr.

David Robert “Detroit” Campbell Sr. entered this world in Wayne County, Detroit, born to Robert Jr. and Shirley Ann on 24 September 1964. From the very beginning, he had a knack for collecting families the way some people collect parking tickets. After some extended networking opportunities provided by the government Detroit found himself “adopted” by a colorful family of mixed company who taught him that you don’t need matching last names or skin color to be kin. Among that crew, "Pops" became his brother, friend, uncle, second father and anchor—offering him a real home and the kind of support that can’t be faked (or revoked on parole). This family was extensive and unique. Including adopted brothers named Tuck, Barnyard, Harley, Gypsy, Culture, Undertaker and Hillbilly. He was graced with 3 sons of his own, he still bestowed live, love and adoration upon all his nephews and nieces. His favorites being Snapper and Doodles!

If you ever wanted your house cleaned, Detroit was your man—he’d happily scrub and straighten in exchange for a hot meal and good company. The only catch? Anything he couldn’t figure out where to put would wind up in Walmart bags, neatly piled in a corner, like some kind of chaotic filing system only he could understand.

Detroit also loved hot sauce, which only added fuel to his already absurd level of sweating. Him and Pops would proudly show you the huge bottle they carted with them everywhere with the love and passion of showing off a preferred Grandchild. He could turn eating a taco into a full-on cardio event. When he wasn’t sweating, he was probably napping—because Detroit was a consummate narcoleptic. He’d doze off right in the middle of your question, only to jolt awake and offer the most asinine answer you never asked for.

He also loved Dungeons & Dragons, though anyone brave enough to roll dice with him knew his characters had a talent for doing immensely dumb things. Someone in the party was going to pay for his decisions—most likely with their life—but at least everyone died laughing. He was well known for the, "fireplace" incident where he obliterated the entire party by putting a bag of holding into a portable hole. Thanks for nothing.

Throughout his life, Detroit went by many names: Tiorted (his personal brand of backwards logic), Uncle Detroit (for his wisdom and occasional bad influence), Mama Detroit (because somebody had to keep the rest of us fed and in line). Uncle NaNa (he woke up in the middle of the night to change diapers and offer bottles to his nephews since their beginnings. When they learned Dada, and Mama, they coined him NaNa not knowing it would stick for the rest of his life. He was a son to the childless and those with already too many and gave them all the perfect idea of how they NEVER wanted their kids to be. He was a brother to us all, the one we both always and never wanted. We are each filled with memories of family and togetherness. Sitting on the hill above Motor Field, home of the Tuskegee Airmen in Alabama sharing the vista before us and silently crying in honor of those who came before us and their sacrifices. Offering a quite whisper of, "Promises Made, Promises Kept" because I swore on my life I would bring him here one day to honor this Uncle and the tearful nod of his head as he says, "Thank you bro, I love you!"

No matter the name, he was loved fiercely and is missed daily. Detroit leaves behind a legacy of laughter, stubbornness, hot sauce stains, and stories that can’t always be told in polite company. He lived loud, loved big, and made sure no one around him ever felt alone—even if they sometimes wished for a little peace and quiet. On 14 June 2025, Detroit left this world because he was tired of it after claiming he's, "too old for this" for many years and most likely because in his sleep he rolled his last critical fail in his sleep on the dice of life. He slipped away to leave a MASSIVE hole in our hearts but GREAT memories of his time with us.

Eternal Rest Grant Unto Thee...