Jim Campbell
was all about Hope.
The 68 year
old, husband, father, grandfather and brother was most of all a friend and
mentor. He died in September after a valiant fight with cancer. He had been married to my cousin, Evalyn Nesmith for 46 years.
This is not
an obituary. Nor is it a eulogy.
It is a
tribute to a man who loved history and the outdoors and journeyed through life
and all across America with the joyful Christ by his side and took every step
with passion and love, "Keepin' the Faith".
Jim Campbell
was the teacher that parents wanted for their children. He shared his love of life with them and made
them want to love it as well.
At his
memorial, a group of thirty-something's stood and told of the hikes he had
taken them on, of the laughter, of the adventure and most of all of the caring
spirit that he had for his students.
And if you
think he loved his students, how much more, his family.
As Jim
neared the end of his life on earth, warm words of tribute poured in to his
family.
One letter
came to him just days before his passing. Hope's words were those of gratitude
and appreciation for a friendship that began when she was in the ninth grade –
20 years ago. She thanked him for
teaching her that it's not good to always play it safe or have a plan but to be
willing to experience the moment – to look for the good in people – and to
share in the beauty of God's creation.
Evalyn, said that he could always see beyond the outside of a person to their
inner potential, something he channeled into the act of becoming a wonderful
teacher..
Those who
knew him well saw him continue to be steadfast, believing that life is meant to
be enjoyed.
A few months
before his passing, Jim and Evalyn were traveling in North Carolina and found a
bumper sticker that they claimed as their mantra for the rest of the time that
they would share. It read "don't
postpone joy".
Which according to Hope, Jim
Campbell personified.
He was certainly a wonderful example
of faith and inspiration and his legacy will live on – through the lives of his
children, his grandchildren and his students.
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