James Weldon Campbell's Obituary
Jim Campbell died on July 14, 2009 after a long and productive life full of much love and laughter. He had a big heart, a great smile and will be missed by all that knew him. Jim was born on October 5, 1922 in Italy, Texas. He moved to Dallas as a young boy and graduated from Adamson High School in 1940. After high school he worked at his father’s cafe in downtown Dallas and in accounting at the Dorsey Printing Company. Jim joined the Army Air Force in 1942 and served as a bombardier and navigator with the 490th Division in England. He flew 25 missions over Europe and was awarded the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his courage, skill and contributions to the war effort. After the war, Jim returned to Dallas and graduated from SMU. He married Johnny LaVerne Ellis on March 28, 1947 and was a devoted husband and father to their four children. Jim joined Morton Foods in 1949 and served as Director of Purchasing, Vice President, Executive Vice President, and President. In 1964, he graduated from the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program. Jim retired from Morton Foods, which had been previously acquired by General Mills, when Morton Foods was sold to W.R.Grace. Jim then began his second career as a stockbroker which he successfully pursued until he was 80 years old. He had a gift for business, numbers and loved being involved in the business world. In 1977 his wife Johnny suffered a major stroke and Jim became a devoted and loving care-giver until her death in 1984. Several years later, Jim was blessed to meet and marry Helen Lance and they have been together for the last 22 years. Jim is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Helen Lance Campbell, and his children and grandchildren: daughter Mallory Campbell Shaddix and husband James, and their sons Jeff Shaddix and John Shaddix; daughter Jenny Campbell Kenny and husband Doug; daughter Melissa Campbell Green and her son Tyler Green; and son James Weldon Campbell, Jr. and wife Alanna and their children James Weldon Campbell III (Trey), Collin Campbell and Caleigh Campbell. He is also survived by Helen’s children: daughter Jimi Pearce and Doretta Medaris and her husband James and their children and grandchildren. Jim is also survived by his sister-in-law Lou Ellis and his extended family of nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Jim Pickens Campbell and Jewel Smith Campbell, his wife, Johnny Ellis Campbell, his sister Jamie Mozell Hendrix and his son-in-law, Richard Green. Funeral services will be on Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 10am at Memorial Chapel at Restland Funeral Home. The family will receive friends on Friday, July 17, 5-7 pm, at Restland Funeral Home in Dallas. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the charity of your choice will be much appreciated by the family.
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