He was a 1962 graduate of Silk Hope School and furthered his education at Lincoln Tech Autobody School in Nashville, TN. Barney completed the direct procurement Petty Officer Program in Gulfport, MS and enlisted as an Instant Petty Officer (IPO) in the US Navy Seabees. CMPO 3rd Class Barney Campbell served in Vietnam from 1968-1969. Barney was an active member of the NC Tractor Pullers Association from the 1970's to the 1990's where he served as Vice President for many years. He proudly pulled his mini modified tractor, The Orange Blossom Special, to many full pulls which led to be titled points champion for several years. Barney served as the Assistant Fire Chief at Level Cross Fire Department, Station 43, for several years in the 1970's where he rebuilt a 1961 Dodge Armory Truck for the fire department which was affectionately named, Barney. The truck served the fire department for decades. He loved spending his time and sharing many meals surrounded by friends at Kidd's Drive In, including Henry McPherson, James Lowe, and the late John Cheek and Buster Kidd. He retired from Bob Dunn Ford in Greensboro and continued to work out of his shop at home. Barney proudly ran Paw-Paws's Daycare before and after school for Kinley, Karis and Jackie for many years.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Freedom Family Church, 510 N. Greensboro Street, Liberty, NC with Rev. Randy Hand and Rev. Jason Keller officiating; burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Loflin Funeral Home of Liberty.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Van and Matilda Hargrove Campbell.
Barney is survived by his wife of 35 years, Mary Smith Campbell; daughters, Kasey Gardner (Kevin) and Susan Aydelette; son, Justin Griffin (Jessie Clontz); step-son, Billy Williamson; sister, Ruby Rickman; grandchildren, the apples of his eye, Kinley and Karis Ferguson, and Anna and Mallory Gardner; great-grandchildren, Jackie, Sadie, Skyler and Carson; and special people he loved like family, Sam Wilson, Matt Stitz, and Jessica and Victor Ward.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to 100 Man Project Inc., PO Box 83, Liberty, NC 27298 or Liberty Veterans Memorial & Gardens, PO Box 928, Liberty, NC 27298.
Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at www.LoflinFH.com.
Loflin Funeral Home of Liberty is honored to serve the Campbell family.
