Checotah Resident Don Campbell Celebrates 90th Birthday

Family and friends gathered to honor the longtime journalist and Air Force veteran.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Don Campbell, a 90-year-old resident of Checotah, Oklahoma, celebrated his birthday on February 7th with a party at the Checotah Community Center. Campbell, who grew up in the area and graduated from Onapa High School, served in the Air Force for 23 years, including tours in Vietnam, France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Japan, and South Korea, where he met his wife Jeanie. After retiring from the military, Campbell worked for the local schools and then as a sports journalist for the McIntosh County Democrat, covering high school athletics for 25 years before retiring.

Why it matters

Campbell's 90th birthday celebration highlights his long and distinguished career, first in the military and then as a local journalist, as well as his deep roots in the Checotah community. His story reflects the experiences of many veterans who went on to have second careers after serving their country.

The details

During his time in the Air Force, Campbell worked as a stringer for the Stars and Stripes newspaper, covering events and stories from his various postings around the world. He even had to request a grenade launcher while stationed in Vietnam to better protect himself while reporting on combat operations. After retiring from the military, Campbell returned to Checotah and worked for the local school district before finding his true calling as a sports journalist, covering high school athletics for 25 years.

  • Don Campbell was born in 1936.
  • Campbell joined the Air Force in August 1954.
  • Campbell served in Vietnam from May 1966 to May 1967.
  • Campbell retired from the Air Force in June 1977 after 23 years of service.
  • Campbell celebrated his 90th birthday on February 7, 2026.

The players

Don Campbell

A 90-year-old resident of Checotah, Oklahoma who grew up in the area, served in the Air Force for 23 years, and later worked as a sports journalist for the local newspaper.

Jeanie Campbell

Don Campbell's wife of 50 years, whom he met while stationed in South Korea.

Marvin Bruce Campbell

Don Campbell's oldest child, living in Gulfport, Mississippi.

Donna Campbell Cooper

One of Don Campbell's four children, living in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Davie Spindle

The owner of the McIntosh County Democrat newspaper, where Don Campbell worked as a sports journalist for 25 years.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“When I was in Vietnam May of '66 through May of '67 I worked for the Military Assistance Command and Public International. I was assigned to an army unit, an advisory team to the 2nd Vietnamese Infantry Division and my job was to cover whatever was going on in that area.”

— Don Campbell (Stars and Stripes)

“I said to him, 'Colonel, you may courtmartial me for this but you're not sending me back to cover this crap with just a damn pistol.' He smiled and said, 'Well, let me see what I can get for you.' And two days later they gave me an M79 grenade launcher.”

— Don Campbell (Stars and Stripes)

“The biggest thing I enjoyed doing was covering new troops in the area. They would come in and I would go out to do a story on the new guy then I'd send it down to Saigon and they would send it to his hometown paper. I loved doing that and made a lot of friends over there because of it.”

— Don Campbell (Stars and Stripes)

What’s next

Campbell plans to continue attending local high school sporting events and visiting with friends and neighbors in Checotah.

The takeaway

Don Campbell's 90th birthday celebration is a testament to his lifelong dedication to service, both in the military and as a journalist covering his local community. His story highlights the important role that veterans can play in their hometowns after retiring from active duty.