Matthew James Campbell

June 12, 1978 - October 22, 2023

Matthew James Campbell was born June 12, 1978, in Burlington. He was the second of three children, and the only son, to Roxanna and Dennis Campbell.

Growing up working on a farmstead between Cheyenne Wells and Burlington, Matt was never very far from his father or his Grandpa Bob, who helped instill in him the value of hard work and the importance of family. Matt was close to his parents and his sisters, Maggie and Abbie. He was a protective and encouraging brother. He was a strong-willed and determined son, always challenging the rules and pushing the boundaries. As a man, Matt had an emotional strength and an integrity that is so rarely found. He was the best of us.

Matt attended school in Cheyenne Wells, where he made lifelong friends, and excelled in wrestling, football, and track. After high school, he made a brief appearance at Fort Lewis College, where he majored in skiing, before returning home to help run the farm.

The birth of Matt’s first son, Jack Robert in 2008, marked a turning point in Matt’s life. Jack’s arrival resulted in a tamer and more focused version of himself. Still passionate about his goals, but with an undeniable need to prioritize raising an incredible son and becoming a provider.

Years later, Matt reunited with his high school sweetheart, Brooke Tallman, whom he referred to as “the love of his life.” After dating in high school, Brooke and Matt went on to experience many years of life outside CW apart, only to later marry November 23, 2013. They quickly added two sons, Cole James and Connor James, to the family.

Together Brooke and Matt found a love and confidence in one another that they didn’t have before. This allowed them to thrive together. Combining Matt’s penchant for taking risks with Brooke’s more pragmatic perspective gave them the confidence to build the Campbell family farm into what it is today, as well as invest in the people and passions in which they believed.

As a farmer, harvest time was one of the things Matt enjoyed most. Year after year, as all farmers must do, he believed that anything was possible through planning, hard work, perseverance, and a little help from Mother Nature. Harvest was the proof; all of his time and effort turned tangible during those long days and nights on the combine, reaping the fruits of labor.

While most knew Matt as a farmer and rancher, those who knew him best knew him as a broad entrepreneur. Whether testing out technology on the cutting edge of farming to maximize yields, investing in real estate and putting in man-hours to flip homes, buying and selling machinery at auctions, or encouraging others to start their own businesses and helping to line up all the pieces for them to make their dreams a reality, Matt had an eye for seeing the potential in people and situations, the confidence in those he cared for, and a passion for seeing this potential come to fruition.

Matt volunteered to serve on the FSA County Committee and, together with Brooke, donated regularly to local events and organizations for the betterment of the community. Honesty, integrity, and generosity were pillars of Matt’s life, which he lived thoroughly in every interaction he had. He believed in surrounding himself with good people, helping others before worrying about himself, and living every moment to the fullest.

After a long-fought battle with brain cancer, surpassing all expectations of survival, Matt passed away at home Sunday, October 22, 2023, at 1:05 a.m., surrounded by family.

Matt is survived by Brooke, Jack, Cole, and Connor Campbell of the family home; parents, Roxie and Dennis Campbell; sisters, Maggie Byers and Abbie Koenig; brothers-in-law, Michael Byers and Kris Koenig; niece, Francine Byers; nephews, Zack Byers, and Campbell, Greyson, and Briggs Koenig; grandmother, Donna Campbell; father-in-law, Doug Tallman; and numerous other relatives.

He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Robert “Bob” Campbell; grandparentsc Verna and Dean Mueller; and mother-in-law, Mary Jo Tallman.

Funeral services were held October 30 at the Cheyenne County Community Building in Cheyenne Wells. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Matthew Campbell Memorial Fund in care of any Eastern Colorado Bank location.

Arrangements were under the direction of Brown Funeral Home.