Maj. James M. Campbell, USAF, Ret.

Retired Major James Malcolm Campbell, 82, of Bucyrus, died Monday, May 6, 2019 at Altercare of Bucyrus in the presence of many who loved him.



He was born June 20, 1936 in Marion, Ohio to the late Bruce and Katherine (Malcolm) Campbell and was a 1953 graduate of Mt. Zion High School. Shortly thereafter, Jim enlisted to serve in the Air Force and served his country for four years before returning home. He wasn’t fulfilled with the life he was living, so he reenlisted and was stationed in Florida. Through this experience he was introduced to Adelaide E. Haynes as Jim had become close friends with her brother. On December 24, 1958 they married, and Jim continued life in the Air Force as well as furthering his education. He had spent a year at Heidelberg College before completing his bachelor’s degree at the University of New Hampshire and went on to receive his master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Clemson University (Go Tigers!). Around this time, it was recommended that Jim complete Officers Training School and he achieved this goal. He and Adelaide enjoyed time spent in Germany, Indiana, and California before Jim retired as a Major from the Air Force in 1980.



Jim always considered Ohio home, so after all their adventures while serving in the Air Force, they returned to his family’s land. Being a Bioenvironmental Engineer for many years, Jim believed in taking care of the earth as best possible, so their first year back they planted 1500 trees on “the Campbell land.” They planted a variety of species, but mostly black walnut trees, and this continued several years.



Jim felt very blessed with all God provided. He enjoyed giving thanks and being fed from God’s Word through Father’s Heart Healing Center, where he was a passionate member. He was active in preparing the bulletins as well as any computer work needed, served in the soup kitchen and was responsible for collecting the food, was hands on with any restoration or general work projects, as well as a benefactor of church needs. He was active in their Bible study and when his health kept him from attending, he offered to host so that he could still participate.



Jim was a brilliant and creative man who always wanted to learn more. He took art classes while living in Germany and later at Marion OSU, which allowed him to paint many masterpieces and carve many wood creations. In the 90’s, he began to lose his hearing, so he and Adelaide learned sign language. Jim was a member and past Commander of the American Legion, Post 181; DAV Chapter 100, had a passion for studying genealogy, and enjoyed many trivia sessions with friends at the former Rustic Inn. He loved watching football and rarely missed a Clemson Tiger or Green Bay Packer game. For relaxation, he often wrote poetry, did crossword puzzles and enjoyed watching Hallmark or John Wayne movies.



In addition to Adelaide, his wife of 60 years, Jim is survived by two children, Cynthia (Paul) Murphy of Monument, Colorado and Michael (Leslee M. Benson) Campbell of Collinsville, Illinois; six grandchildren, Daniel Murphy, Malcolm Murphy, Shaun Murphy, Danielle (Paul) Dedmon, Jason Vinberg and Jeffrey Parks; many great grandchildren; cousin Deb Turner, as well as many that he adopted from his heart and loved including, Pastor Dan and Karolyn Rebon, and the Bell family. Jim is reunited in Heaven with his baby girl, Katherine Mary Campbell and his brother Frank Campbell.



His family will gather with friends from 1-2 p.m. Saturday, May 11 at Father’s Heart Healing Center, 320 Woodlawn Ave., Bucyrus, Ohio, where his celebration of life service will follow at 2:00 pm with close friend and pastor, Dan Rebon, officiating. Military Rites will conclude services that day and be provided by the US Air Force Honor Guard and Bucyrus Veterans Military Funeral Detail. Jim’s cremated body will be scattered on his family land at a later date.



Donations can be made payable to Father’s Heart Healing Center and given through the Wise Funeral Service or at the church on the day of his services.