After 84 years of a wonderful life, John L. Campbell, Jr. left his earthly home on Aug. 21, 2023, for his homecoming escorted by a band of angels. He was a retired Sheet Metal Worker/International Organizer. His loving wife of 58 years, Linda, was by his side.
John was a native of Birmingham, Alabama and had been a resident of Baldwin County for over 23 years. He attended Woodlawn High School and was most proud of the role he played in helping the football teams of 1956 and 1957 be named State Champions for those years. Woodlawn would be a part of his life until his last breath. After high school, he served 8 years in the Army Reserve and Air National Guard Reserve. He attended Jefferson State Community College and would continue his education at UAB afterward. He could not complete his diploma requirements due to being elected as Business Representative in his SMWIA (now SMART) Local #48 in Birmingham. He served his Union in this position for one term and was then elected Business Manager/Financial Secretary Treasurer for Local #48 and would serve three years. At the conclusion of his third term of office, he was appointed to the staff of Sheet Metal Workers International Association (now SMART) as International Organizer and served in that position until his retirement. He loved his work as a Business Representative, Business Manager and International Organizer and considered it an honor to be able to serve the members of his Union. He embraced the opportunity to be a champion for the rights of American workers.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John L. Campbell, Sr. and Lucy P. Campbell and his brother, James Wayne Campbell. He was also preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Stephen P. Barrow and Patricia A. Barrow of Montgomery, Alabama as well as Karen B. Creel, his niece and his great nephew, J. Dale Creel, Jr. of Montgomery, Alabama.
John is survived by his wife, Linda; his niece, Michelle M. Ashby (Tony) of Birmingham; his nephew, James Wayne McLemore and his great-nephew, Ryan C. McLemore of South Carolina. He is also survived by his nephew, Keith Barrow (Laura) of Montgomery, Alabama; great-niece, Katelyn C. Immel (John) of Spanish Fort, Alabama; great-nephew, Jordan C. Creel (Lori) of Montgomery, Alabama; great niece, Blakeley E. Barrow of Montgomery; great-niece, Riley C. Barrow of Montgomery; and great-nephew, Cayden L. Barrow of Montgomery, Alabama. He was their beloved Uncle John.
At John’s request, there will be no public service. His inurnment will be in Memorial Gardens of Fairhope. We wish to thank Community Hospice and their staff as well as Brian Booth and his staff at Live Well for the excellent care they provided for John. Memorial tributes may be made to The Haven, PO Box 1063, Fairhope, AL. 36533
“THE SONG IS ENDED BUT THE MELODY LINGERS ON” Irving Berlin
