Omer Roland Campbell, 87, returned to his heavenly home on December 13, 2018 after a valiant battle with a long illness. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace.
Roland was born to the late Randall and Lola Campbell, a rancher and a homemaker respectively, in Paint Rock, TX on November 10, 1931. He was immersed in the Christian community that would be his lifelong support from an early age. He graduated from Tarleton State University. He served as a Navy diver prior to his marriage.
Roland was blessed with a large and loving family. He married his sweetheart, Julia Fay Wall, on December 2, 1954 in Richmond, VA at Grove City Baptist Church. Shortly thereafter the family moved to Texas where all five children were born. Roland ranched with his Dad and worked the West Texas oilfields. In the 1960s the family moved to East Tennessee where he worked as an instrumentation engineer at Oak Ridge. He was an entrepreneur, starting his own organ repair business there as well. In the 1970s they moved to Memphis, TN where he worked initially for Foxboro and ended up retiring from Ralston Purina.
Roland helped raise his five children with patience, discipline and love. From the very beginning, he dedicated his children to God and encouraged them to seek after God. He was an ordained deacon and served at Agee Baptist Church, in Hamilton, TX, Fairview Baptist Church in Karns, TN and Bartlett Baptist Church in Bartlett, TN. He obtained his pilot license and took his family on many trips. He loved to play the guitar and especially enjoyed country and gospel music. He entertained grandchildren and others with his “grumpy old grandpa” dummy. He was a member of Bartlett Baptist Church for many years.
Roland is survived by his wife, Julia; his daughter Carol Martin and husband Rory of Defuniak Springs, FL and grandchildren Charity, Thomas, William and Patrick; his sons David of Memphis, Steve and wife Pam also of Memphis and grandchildren Daniel, Amber, Lydia and Ryan and two great grandchildren, Keith of San Martin, CA and Mike and wife Laura of Manassas, VA and grandchildren Christina, Jonathan, Joey, Josh and Michael. Roland is also survived by his brother, Dr. Damon Campbell and wife Betty of Elizabethtown, KY. He is preceded in death by his parents.
Roland will be buried at the Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Garden, 3700 N Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN. The family will receive friends from Noon to 2PM. The service will be at 2PM with a graveside service to follow.
