Lost One of My Best Friends Last Night

Was notified this morning that Kenneth Campbell (73), of KC Custom Gun Leather, Springville, Alabama, passed away last night due to complications during heart surgery. KC had been making holsters, belts, and other firearms related accessories for over 40 years. During his career, KC had many of his custom holsters and gun rigs featured in major handgun magazines. KC did not have a website, but did his advertising by word of mouth, gun shops here in the South, and a printed catalog. KC was using horsehide for making holsters years before horsehide caught on with other makers. KC was my go to guy for gun holsters, once I was heavily involved in slings. We referred many customers KC's way and never had one dissatisfied.

I first met KC at the Great Western Gun Show, Pomona, CA, in 1990 while I was stationed at MCB, Camp Pendleton, CA. I was just starting to get more serious about slings in addition to the holsters, saddles and other gear I was making in my spare time. I had set up at the show with Ken Fladrich, Armory of Orange. I was walking the show and met KC at Findley Smith's tables. Findley is another story in its self, as I had known Findley Smith (also from the Birmingham area) for several years. KC said Findley had drug him all the way from Alabama to the West Coast so he could get more exposure.

Once I returned home in the summer of 1991, I realized KC was only about 11 miles from me, so we reconnected and began setting up at gun shows through out the South, primarily the Alabama Gun Collector's Show in Birmingham, AL, and Ernie Bean's Great Southern Gun Shows. We continued to set up together at many shows for over 20 years. KC is a great loss, not only as a friend, but an outstanding leathersmith. Prayers go out to the family.

Happy Trails my Friend,

Richard Turner
Turner Saddlery, Inc. (Turner Slings)

Richard, the Campbell family and friends will be in my prayers that they find the strength to deal with this horrible lose.

prayers for all such a loss is hard to forget

Richard, thank you for your tribute. The loss of a friend, artisan, craftsman, and military comrade is always difficult. My respects to you, and his family. I've found that writing a tribute -- however short or long -- is helpful in memorializing a person who means much to you and it helps his family heal. Written tributes are always the most cherished because they last for years. An old Roman saying states: "Words fly away while writing remains."

(If you want some ideas, see my tribute to my father: Dropbox - Robert Viola Lynch )
Best wishes,
Robert

I'm sorry for your loss, bud.

Bob

Richard ..

On behalf of our entire collector community, my wife Deborah and myself, I wanted to extend our deepest sympathies ...

If you could provide me with more details and perhaps a link to an obituary, I'd like to add him to our web site’s "In Memoriam" thread …..

++++ In Memoriam ++++

Regards,
Doug

You have my condolences.
RIP KC
Semper Fi
Phil

Many thanks to everyone here at MILSURPS. All of the thoughts and prayers are very much appreciated. Badger, thank you for your kind offer. I'm sorry to say that there was very little published in the local paper as far as an Obit goes. Some times families are so distraught they fail to provide a synopsis of ones life when a death is unexpected.

I will try and get more information on Ken from family and friends so as to add to what I have already mentioned. I have made post on several forums, hoping that others who knew Ken through his products and attending gunshows would learn of the news.

I know many others have experienced this as well, being out of contact with someone, old friend, service member, or someone you have known in the past and then finding out they have passed when asking how they are doing, or as in Ken's case, someone calling his home wishing to place an order.

Anyway, just wanted to let everyone here know how much you are appreciated and your support of the firearms community.

Regards,

Richard