Ariel Antonio Campos Sr., 82, passed away peacefully on Friday evening around 7:25 pm, December 19, 2025, at his nursing home, Beautiful Savior in Belton, Missouri, after a many-years-long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. During his passing he was accompanied at his bedside by his youngest son, Richard.

Ariel was born on May 1, 1943, in Medellin, Colombia, to Toni and Luis Campos. In 1955, at the age of 12, he emigrated with his family to the United States, settling in Kenner, Louisiana. He became a proud naturalized U.S. citizen in 1963. Ariel graduated from Cor Jesu High School in 1963 in New Orleans. Ariel pursued higher education with a deep passion, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English from Loyola University - New Orleans in 1967, followed by a Juris Doctor from the Loyola University School of Law in 1970. A gifted thinker with a love of language, learning, and spirited discussion, Ariel carried these gifts throughout every chapter of his life.

He married in September 1982, and together with his now ex-wife, raised three children: Ariel Campos, Jr. of St. Louis, MO; Corrinne Campos of Springfield, MO; and Richard Campos of Kansas City, MO. In 1989, the married couple chose to leave New Orleans to raise their family in Rolla, MO. While living in Rolla, the family spent meaningful years on a farm raising cattle, sheep, pigs, dozens of chickens, and a pair of geese. After their divorce in 2003, Ariel returned to Louisiana and the legal field, finding fulfilling work as an attorney for the local Legal Services Corporation where he represented and gave legal advice for the financially disadvantaged. He lived in Lafayette, LA, until 2021 when he then came back to Missouri to live closer to Richard due to his declining condition. Ariel lived with Richard for 9 months before ultimately transitioning to memory care.

A lifelong resident at heart of New Orleans, Ariel loved jazz and found joy in listening to music. He enjoyed musicians from Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, and The Commodores to Dean Martin and Nat King Cole.

Ariel is survived by his children; his younger brother, Luis Campos, of Baton Rouge, LA; his nieces: Rachel Campos-Shea of Atlanta, Georgia; Calia Lene of Savannah, GA; and Darian Campos of Baton Rouge, LA; and his nephew, Jonathan Campos, of New Orleans, LA. He is preceded in death by his parents, Toni and Luis; and his brothers, Jansen and Lenny.

Ariel will be remembered for his intellect, his humor, his resilience, and the love he carried for his family. His presence will be deeply missed, but his legacy lives on in the hearts of all who knew him.