Ferrin Colin Campbell Sr.

1923 - 2012

Ferrin Colin Campbell Sr. of Crestview, Fla., passed away May 12, 2012, at the age of 88.
Ferrin was born on Sept. 1, 1923, to Ernest Willie and Marie Campbell. He graduated from Laurel Hill School in 1941 before entering the Navy flight training program the following year. After receiving his wings in 1944, Ferrin joined the United States Marine Corps. First Lt. Ferrin Campbell was honorably discharged in February 1946 following the end of World War II and returned home to continue his education. He graduated from Auburn University in 1948 and from the University of Florida College of Law in 1950.
Shortly after graduating from law school, Ferrin became the youngest sheriff in the state of Florida at 26 years of age when Gov. Fuller Warren appointed him Sheriff of Okaloosa County. Ferrin later went on to serve two distinguished terms in the Florida House of Representatives and one in the Florida Senate. Ferrin continued to practice law for many years in Crestview. When he officially retired in August 2011, Ferrin had been a member of the Florida Bar for 61 years.
Ferrin grew up in Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Crestview. He was also a long-time member of the Crestview Rotary Club, enjoyed fellowship with friends at Gum Creek Lodge and was a lifelong Auburn fan.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Ferrin Campbell Jr. and William (Willie) Enzor Campbell; sister, Gwendolyn (Gwen) Sullivan, and her husband, Clarence. Ferrin is survived by his wife of 19 years, Edwina Gaskin Campbell; daughter, Erin Nicole (Nikki) Campbell of Los Angeles; grandson, Ferrin Campbell III, and his wife, Mandy, of Crestview; great-grandsons, Ferrin Campbell IV and Ayden Campbell; several nieces, nephews and extended family; Ila Enzor Campbell, mother of his two sons; and Carol Campbell Fleming, mother of his daughter.
A celebration of Ferrin's life will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Crestview at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 19. The family will receive friends immediately after the service in the Fellowship Hall.
Flowers will be accepted as an expression of sympathy, or donations may be made to the Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 55, Laurel Hill, FL 32567; or to First United Methodist Church for the Life Center, 599 8th Ave., Crestview, FL 32536.
Arrangements are entrusted to Whitehurst Powell Funeral Home in Crestview. Guest book and condolences are available online at www.whitehurstpowellfuneralhome.com