On August 29, Dr. John Emory Campbell, age 75, of Montgomery, breathed his last breath and committed his spirit to the care of our Heavenly Father. Born in Tallahassee, Florida before moving to Clay County, Alabama, Dr. Campbell attended pharmacy school at Auburn University and medical school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Campbell practiced medicine for over 35 years in emergency rooms across the state of Alabama and in Longview, Texas.
Along with his work as an emergency room physician, Dr. Campbell’s influence on the world of emergency medical care was extensive and widespread.
Dr. Campbell founded the Basic Trauma Life Support (BTLS) program in 1982. It was the first course and curriculum dedicated to prehospital trauma assessment and trauma care worldwide. BTLS grew to become International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) and is now a worldwide organization offering 15 types of trauma courses and teaching more than 30,000 students annually in more than 40 countries across the globe. Dr. Campbell served as President of ITLS until his passing.
From October 2, 2006 to April 1, 2011, Dr. Campbell served as EMS Medical Director for the State of Alabama. Under his leadership, he implemented changes to standardized patient care protocols across the entire state. His work lead to the mandatory training and certification of all providers who would communicate with paramedics in the field. One of the first such requirements in the history of the United States.
Outside of his vast professional accomplishments, Dr. Campbell was a loving husband, a devoted father, and an inspiring Christian. Dr. Campbell was preceded in death by his parents, William Groce and Carrie Lou Campbell; and his first wife, Jackie Brand Campbell. Dr. Campbell leaves behind in this world: his second wife of 7 years, Linda Page Campbell; two sons, Casey Campbell (Angie) and Jason Emory Campbell (Stacey); nine grandchildren, Jackson Conner Campbell, Patrick Emory Campbell, Margaret Emily Campbell, John Harrison Campbell, Maddox Alan Campbell, Ben Casey Campbell, Sarah Elizabeth Campbell, Rylan Emory Campbell, and Cameron Everett Campbell. Dr. Campbell also leaves behind a sister, Jane Thompson.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home in Montgomery, AL on Friday, August 31, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Daniel Atkins officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. A graveside service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at LaFayette City Cemetery. To offer online condolences please visit www.alabamaheritagefh.com
