I was heartbroken to learn of the passing of Grady Campbell. I
received an email from Pam Morton and Bryon Campbell yesterday,
July 1, 2008, notifying me of his passing.
Although I never met Grady, I came to know him through the stories
he would send me for Rockingham Remembered. I was truly amazed at
the eloquent way he had of writing - and the way he mastered the
computer at age 88 and still composed stories such as he did.
The last story he sent me on May 30th, he added this in his email and I
am sure he wouldn't mind me publishing it now:
"By separate E-Mail I am sending you some thoughts I have at the
present. I have been told that you might publish them--I called the
composition The Valley Trail. It looks like I am nearing the end of the
trail--I am presently being served by Hospice. No regrets, and I ask not
for sympathy; thus, if you publish it please may no direct reference to
the contents of this PERSONAL letter."
Sincerely,
Grady Campbell
To me, this shows what type of man Grady was. He had lived a full
life and knew his just rewards were not far off. And yet, he asked for
no sympathy during his last days. In fact, as you can see from his
stories on his page, I believe he was living life to the fullest.
Below is the last exchange I had with Grady on May 30th - and one of
many that I will miss getting from him:
GrdyCamp@aol.com to joel
"I am sorry, Joel, but I cannot find it. There are two items only on my
first page - Photos by Bryon and Campbell University. Surely, I am
missing the Main Page.
I will not pester you any more. Perhaps the Main Page will show up
later. Let us wait for another day. Good-Night and thanks". Grady
(He was referring to the last story I received from him and posted
on the website, The Valley Trail.)
I feel I was privileged to know Grady through emails. His stories will
be missed on this website but with this page I hope to keep the stories
he wrote out there for all to read and enjoy.
So, with a sad heart and memories of A Friend I Never Met, I will end
this page with joy as I know Grady has found his true resting place for
eternity. Joel Bailey.
Grady Campbell Obituary
Grady Franklin Campbell died July 1, 2008 . A memorial service will
be held at 1:00, Saturday July 5, 2008 at Providence Baptist Church,
4921 Randolph Road with the Rev. Dr. R. Alton Cadenhead, Jr.,
presiding. Interment will take place at 11:00 on Monday July 7, 2008
at Eastside Cemetery in Rockingham, NC.
Grady was born December 9, 1919, in Richmond County, NC, the son
of Elias and Oakley Campbell. He is survived by his wife, Annie Potter
Campbell of Charlotte; sister Janie Belle Campbell of Rockingham; step-
children LaBruce Neely of Charlotte; Hattie Zurbrick and husband
Lloyd of Livonia, MI; Elaine Williamson and husband Dennis of
Wilson, NC; Larry Potter and wife Judy of Charleston, SC and Robert
Potter and wife Connie of Winterville, GA; and several step-
grandchildren, step-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was
preceded in death by his first wife, his parents, two brothers and two
sisters.
Grady was a member of Providence Baptist Church and its Christian
Partners Sunday School Class in Charlotte. Previously, he had been a
member of First Presbyterian Church in Morehead City, NC; and First
Christian Church in Fort Madison, Iowa, where he had served as
Elder, Board Chairman and Sunday School teacher.
Grady enlisted in the army prior to World War II. In 1942 he attended
an Officer Candidate School. Upon graduation as a Second Lieutenant
he was assigned to the School as an instructor. Later, he served in
Italy as a battery commander and battalion communications officer,
with the rank of Captain. During the Korean conflict he was recalled
to active military duty and was assigned to the Office of Chief of
Staff of the Army in the Pentagon as a budget analyst.
A retired Certified Public Accountant, he had practiced in Iowa, where
he served a term as President of the Iowa Society of CPAs and as a
member of Council of the American Institute of CPAs.
Grady led an active life. A Mason, he was the senior past master of his
lodge at the time of his death; and had conducted many Masonic
funeral services while in Iowa. He had been an accedited rose show
judge for the American Rose Society. (He had the honor of judging in
one national rose show.) Among his other activities, he had served as
Officer and Director of several civic and charitable organizations.
Grady loved life, loved his fellow-man and loved his Lord. His
epitapth is, from the final words of Nehemiah, “Remember me O my
God, for good!”. He will be greatly missed but fondly remembered by
all who knew him.