Jack Campbell

John William “Jack” Campbell was born in Richmond, Indiana on August 26, 1954, to James “Jim” and Margaret Anne Campbell with a copy of the Commercial Appeal under the delivery room table to ensure he was born with southern roots. In 1955, Jack’s family moved to Columbus, Mississippi, which would remain his home until he moved to Amory in 1990.

Jack attended grade school at Saint Mary’s Catholic School in Columbus and graduated from Lee High School where he was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame, elected class favorite, selected for homecoming court, served in and was elected to numerous clubs, associations, and positions. Jack attended the Republican Convention as a youth delegate and gave a compelling and impassioned speech in support of desegregation at his high school.

Jack loved and excelled in swimming, receiving numerous awards and recognitions. He earned the title of Mississippi’s number one state sprinter and swam in the Junior Olympics where he set a state record. He served as captain of the Columbus swim team and assisted with coaching where his 8-and-under team won the state championship. Jack received the William Lee Sanders Award for his outstanding contribution to and achievements in competitive swimming and was offered a swimming scholarship to an out-of-state university. He never lost his passion for swimming and instilled it in his children—all of whom participated in swimming programs in Columbus, Amory, and Tupelo. Jack participated in the United States Masters Swimming Program, won several medals at the Mississippi State Games Competition in Meridian, and served as the Mississippi State Swim Meet Chairman for two years.

Jack graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1978. While at Ole Miss, he was active in his fraternity, serving as an officer and participating in several intramural sports. Most important, while at Ole Miss, Jack met his beautiful, devoted, and loving wife, Robin.

Married on March 17—St. Patrick’s Day—Jack and Robin were lucky in love and recently celebrated 46 years of marriage. They were blessed with three adoring children who recognize their own fortune in having such loving, supportive, and amazing parents and were gifted their dad’s words of wisdoms and advice in a notebook that he kept for them.

Jack’s dedication, beliefs, leadership, and ability to mentor and inspire others continued in his professional career and personal endeavors.

Jack founded the Amory and Aberdeen branch of the award-winning Galloway Chandler Mckinney Insurance, now Oakridge Insurance. He received state and national recognitions, including designation as the top 1% of all insurance professionals in the country. Jack also served as President of the Northeast Mississippi Insurance Agents Association. He considered his loyal and supportive employees as family and was notorious for decorating his office during the holidays—especially Halloween—and greatly enjoyed special outings with and pulling pranks on his unsuspecting staff. After selling his business, ever devoted to his community, employees, and clients, Jack put off his plans to retire to ensure all those affected by the devastating Amory tornado were taken care of—all while he was quietly battling cancer.

A man of character and integrity, Jack was the biggest champion and advocate for Amory and Monroe County. Second only to his boundless love for his family and close friends, his genuine interest in community support, volunteerism, education, and economic development and growth was a priority and evident in his actions. He was a well-recognized figure and a respected member of the community, was named Amory’s Outstanding Citizen of the Year, and held several past and present positions and titles in various committees and organizations, including:

• Board Chairman, Board of Directors, and Executive Committee Member for the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce
• Board Member of the Monroe County Development Alliance
• Co-president with Robin for the Amory Middle School PTO
• Amory Rotary Club President
• Leadership Monroe Committee where he was voted class Valedictorian by his peers
• Various Leadership Programs where he served as a trainer and evaluator for projects in surrounding counties
• Entertainment for Education Volunteer
• Appalachian Regional Community Grant
• Small Town Steering Committee
• Amory Main Street Revitalization Committee
• Representative Chamber of Commerce Hwy 25 Transportation Committee
• Local Bank Advisory Board
• Board of Directors for the area Boy Scouts
• Railroad Festival Committee and Chairman
  1. Recognized as Top Twenty Events in the Southeast
• Executive Board of River Birch Golf Club
• Banquet Chairman for Ducks Unlimited
• Amory Christmas Parade Chairperson

But despite his many accolades, Jack was never too busy or proud to water the plants on Main Street, say hello to someone at an event or the local grocery store, or secretly pay for someone’s meal—just because.

In his free time, Jack loved to travel throughout the United States attending the Masters Tournament and Ryder Cup and internationally visiting over 14 countries. He also was a certified steak and barbeque judge and served as a qualifying barbecue judge for the Kansas City BBQ Society, Memphis BBQ Network, and the prestigious Memphis in May International Festival World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. Jack was also a National Weather Service SKYWARN Trained Observer, certified scuba diver, and platform diver. In addition to swimming, he enjoyed tennis, golf, recreational softball, basketball, handball, hunting, and cheering for Ole Miss, Notre Dame, and the Amory panthers.

But most important, Jack was a family man who loved spending time with his family. He was a devoted husband, father, “Papa Jack,” and friend who cherished his wife, children, grandchildren, family, and close friends—all of whom will greatly miss him. With unwavering convictions and strong sense of self, he was an extraordinary man who brightened the lives of many through simple and unassuming acts of kindness, generosity, and light-hearted jokes and shenanigans. He was an ambassador for his community and role model for all those who had the privilege of knowing him. Always with a kind word to speak or act of service to offer, Jack made everyone he encountered feel that they mattered. Jack’s character, humility, integrity, devotion, kindness, compassion, temperance, spirit, charity, courage, strength, selflessness, and faith embodied his notable qualities.

On April 3, 2025, Jack peacefully went to Heaven surrounded by his wife and children at his home. A man of deep faith, he remained hopeful throughout his health journey—placing his complete faith in God never questioning or complaining about his illness. He fought with the strength of 10,000 men to overcome his rare diagnosis. Jack never gave up. Rather, he accepted the gift of eternal life, and he maintained his dignity, compassion, and appreciation throughout his battle, thanking all those he encountered along the way for their help.

Jack’s legacy lives on through his wife, Robin Powell Campbell; his children, Leah Kathryn Anzenberger (Tim) of Madison, John William Campbell, Jr. of Piperton, TN, Carrington Elizabeth Campbell of Amory, and his beloved grandchildren Campbell Emerson, Kathryn Jane, McCoy Lee, and Margaret Jack; his siblings, Jim Campbell (Ann) of Madison, Perky Richard (Ray) of Columbus, David Campbell (Reba) of Columbia, SC; his mother-in-law, Jane Powell of Hickory Valley, TN; and his treasured cousins, nieces, and nephews all of whom he loved to rib around with and send encouraging words and happy birthday wishes to. Jack was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in law, Billy C. Powell.

In lieu of flowers, Jack’s family asks for donations to CREATE Foundation P.O. Box 1053 Tupelo, MS 38802 (Please list “Jack Campbell Memorial Scholarship Fund” in the memo line), Camp Friendship P.O. Box 57 Pontotoc, MS 38863, or a local charity of choice that benefits children. Additionally, it is his family’s wish that you honor Jack’s memory by committing random acts of kindness without seeking recognition, laughing over jokes he made and antics he pulled, and sharing stories and fondly reminiscing over Jack’s many adventures, accomplishments, and positive influence.

A man of action and inspiring words, Jack would have declined having his accolades included in his obituary. But because he was such a special and remarkable person, his family hopes that acknowledging Jack’s many accomplishments will encourage others to “Always strive to become the hero of your own life.”

Visitation will be held at Annunciation Catholic Church in Columbus on Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and the Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m.