JAMES A. CAMPBELL

James A. "Jim" Campbell, retired educator and former Sumter County Council Chairman, died on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018.

Born on Feb. 29, 1936, in Waynesboro, Virginia, he was a son of the late Melvin R. and N. Elizabeth Campbell. He graduated from Waynesboro High School, where he was active in high school activities and played football. He then attended Bridgewater College in Virginia, where he played varsity football and then transferred to Erksine College, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree. His master's and PHD work was completed at the University of South Carolina.

Jim had a wide variety of interests and life experiences. He was a published author, mostly on scholarly historical topics; served in the U.S. Army with the 101st Airborne; completed an apprenticeship as a pipefitter; served as a college athletic director and a scholarship fundraiser; served as a chairman of the Sumter County Board of Voter Registration; served over the years on more than 50 local and state boards and commissions; was a Tuomey Fellow; was a graduate of Leadership Sumter and Leadership South Carolina; served as interim Sumter County Administrator; had a local historical ETV TV show called "Eye on the Past;" was a member of the Sumter Rotary Club for decades and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was especially proud of his service on Sumter County Council, where he represented district seven for years, 10 of which he served as chairman. During his tenure on council, he was engaged in business development, the refurbishment and opening of Patriot Hall, and supported downtown revitalization. The lobby of Patriot Hall was recently named in his honor. He continued to be involved and engaged in many civic and political organizations. Jim only recently retired from his lengthy service on the Santee Lynches Regional Council on Government. He was a long term board member and supporter of the Sumter County Museum. Jim was a lifetime member of the American Legion and the University of South Carolina Alumni Association. He was awarded the Order of the Palmetto by Gov. James Hodges in 2003.

His educational career included stints at USC-Columbia, USC-Salkahatchie, James Madison University, Clemson at Sumter and later USC-Sumter, Sumter School District Two, St. Leo College and was summer visiting professor at Coastal Carolina University. He earned a number of academic awards, scholarships and biographical citations. He was named DAR History Teacher of Year.

Jim was an active member of St. John's United Methodist Church for 36 years and served for many years as the chairman of the administrative council. He also taught Sunday school.

While Jim was very involved in his community, he was also a sports enthusiast. He loved the Gamecocks and was a season ticket holder for many years. He and his family traveled to many bowls, the college World Series and other playoff games. He was named Sumter Gamecock Fan of the Year. He also loved music and shag dancing and never passed up an opportunity to step on a dance floor.

Jim often said his greatest assets were his loving wife of 58 years, Juanita; his daughter, Kali Campbell Turner (Patrick); and his son, James "Jamie" C. Campbell (Denise) and what he termed "the five greatest grandsons known to man": William Campbell Turner, Matthew Reid Turner, Ross Christian Campbell, Andrew Alexander Turner and Graham David Campbell. He is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

His family will always treasure his enduring love, his wit and wisdom, his passion for learning, his voracious appetite for reading, and the example he set for serving others.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday in the Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home Chapel.

Pallbearers will be Deron McCormick, Franky Campbell, Greg Crolley, Gregg Vaught, David Durham and James Bolton.

The family will receive visitors from 2 to 3 p.m. on Sunday at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to St. John United Methodist Church, 136 Poinsett Drive, Sumter, SC 29150.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.