James W. Campbell's Obituary
JAMES W. CAMPBELL, JR (Jim) was born in Alexandria, LA, on October 17, 1930 to Vivian and Gus Campbell but moved to Memphis, TN at an early age. Jim went to Treadwell School for 12 years and graduated in 1948. After high school, where he played all sports but especially football, he and other friends from Treadwell High played football at Holmes Junior College in Goodman, MS. The Holmes Junior College team was national champions of community colleges. He then played fullback at the University of Memphis and loved to support the Tigers. He graduated from University of Memphis in 1954; Jim worked as personnel director for City of Memphis under Mayor Henry Loeb then went to work for Alton Boxboard Company for many years. Upon the establishment of the Shelby County Mayors he served as Director of Finance under Mayor Roy C. Nixon and Mayor William N. Morris. After his public service he was a stockbroker until his retirement. He was an avid University of Memphis fan all his life in both basketball and football. He is the widower of Juanita Campbell whom he was married to for 56 years upon her death. They were very active together in many community activities. Jim was past president of Memphis Jaycees and many of their friends through the years were from the Jaycees and Jaycettes. Jim Campbell was a Certificate Holder of the Mid South Fair and past president of that event and with Libertyland. From early adulthood Jim was involved in sports especially football. He was a football official starting in his early twenties in high school football and was a football official for the SEC, WFL, and Conference USA. He was honored to be the official in the Orange Bowl, Cotton Bowl and Holiday Bowl in various years. In 1998 he was President of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and continued his love for the sport and the Liberty Bowl by his presence and support each and every year. In fact he was at the last Liberty Bowl in December. In 2011 for his service Liberty Bowl presented him with the Spirit of 1776 Award. Jim was also actively involved in amateur sports as past President of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Memphis Chapter and their annual spring dinner honoring scholar athletes. Jim was also a volunteer at the Federal Express St. Jude Golf Tournament for over forty (40) years. He was a former member of Colonial Country Club and played golf till he could not swing a club any more. Family and children meant the world next to faith in God to Jim and he leaves behind his daughters, Terri Arnett (Rick), Toni Campbell Parker (Greg) and son Trip Campbell (Cindy). He also leaves behind his beautiful grandchildren who did no wrong in his eyes, Michael Jaynes, Patrick Jaynes, (Sabrina), Richard Arnett (Kristen), Casey Campbell Hawkins (Matt), Whit Campbell, Toni Michele Jaynes, Abby Parker and Shelby Parker in addition to two great-granddaughters Lexy and Kaelyn Jaynes and expected great-granddaughter Hawkins in April, 2015. Other survivors are his brother, Ted Thaxton Campbell (Audie) and their daughter Caroline Wright (Casey) and their son Kelsey, sister in law and brother in law Kay and Darrell Janes and their children, David Janes, Carla Janes and Angie Shanklin (Paul) together with great nephews Matthew and John. Jim was a member of Great Oaks Church of Christ and was in the men’s prayer group and also his special group of men who played Rook every Thursday for over ten years. Even as his body failed him he loved to play bridge and was playing actively every week and tried to make the “breakfast coffee” at Gibson’s Donuts as often as possible. Family wishes to thank and acknowledge his long time physician and friend, Dr. Arthur Franklin. Any memorials are suggested for the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Memphis Chapter and to the Federal Express St Jude Golf Tournament. Funeral service will be 2:30 p.m. Friday, January 9 at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, (901)767-8930, “Behind the Stone Wall”.
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