James Calvin Campbell

JAMES CALVIN CAMPBELL James Calvin (Jim) Campbell, 91, longtime resident of Atlantic Beach, passed away peacefully at home on August 5, surrounded by family. Born January 17, 1922, in Waverly, Alabama to David and Sara Campbell. His early life was in Alabama and Georgia, before moving to Florida at the age of eight. In 1939, he chauffeured a wealthy woman to the World’s Fair in New York City, the experience of a lifetime for a young man. Afterwards he hitchhiked to California and started working for Boeing Airlines. When war broke out in the fall of 1939, he rode the bus back to Florida in order to enlist. As many young men did, he did whatever it took to get into the military, even cheating on his eye exam in order to serve, and he became a pilot! He was a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army Air Force during WWII, serving in the Pacific as the co-pilot of a B-25. After the war, he attended the University of Alabama on the GI Bill. There he received a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Administration. While in college Jim met the love of his life, Mary Frances McGee. They were married 62 years before she predeceased him in 2010.Living in five different states, Jim was a salesman who worked nearly thirty years for Pitney-Bowes, Inc., retiring in 1984 as Jacksonville’s Branch Manager.A lifelong Presbyterian, Jim served many positions of responsibility in the church. He was a member of South Jacksonville and Community and was a founding member of Hodges Boulevard Presbyterian Church, where he served on the Mission and Outreach committees, was an elder and the first Clerk of Session. Jim was an avid golfer and an outgoing, friendly guy who loved people. His humor made everyone feel at ease; no one was a stranger to him. Of his many accomplishments, he was very proud of his membership in the "Five-Gallon Club" at Southeastern Community Blood Center, his service with Meals-On-Wheels and the Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry (B.E.A.M.). Survivors include his five children, James C. Campbell (Jill), Cathy Campbell Woodard (Bobby), Andy D. Campbell (Velma), Scott D. Campbell (Michele) all of Jacksonville, and Sally Campbell-Evans (Clarke) of Tampa, thirteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren who will always love him.Special thanks to all those who steadfastly cared for Jim, especially during these past few years.In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hodges Boulevard Presbyterian Church, 4140 Hodges Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida 32224 or B.E.A.M. 850 6th Ave. South, Ste. 400, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250. A memorial service will be held at Hodges Boulevard. Presbyterian Church on Saturday, August 10, at 11:00 a.m. . ..