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Julian Morris Campbell Sr.

Julian Campbell Obituary

Julian Morris Campbell Sr., national leader of agricultural education, 84, was called home to tend the gardens of Heaven on October 20, 2004. He was born on August 18, 1920 in Amherst County, Va., the fifth of seven children of Litwood Miles Campbell and Lucy Marion Spencer. Mr. Campbell attended Amherst County schools, where he was very active in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and went on to receive his Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1942. He earned his Master's Degree in Agricultural Education from Michigan State University in 1952. After graduating from Tech, Mr. Campbell was commissioned as an infantry officer and served for four years during WWII. He landed in France with the 2nd Infantry Division on D-Day+2 and participated in the Normandy Campaign until being wounded near St. Lo in August 1944. During his service, he was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, American Theatre Service Medal, Victory Medal and the European-African Middle Eastern Service Medal. He was discharged as a first lieutenant in April 1946. Mr. Campbell returned to Virginia after the war and had a distinguished 36-year career in agricultural education, first as a teacher and then rising through the ranks of the State Department of Education, serving as state supervisor of agricultural education for almost 24 years from 1946 to 1982. Under his leadership, Virginia's agricultural education program developed a strong foundation and model program including a complete curriculum for the industry of agriculture. Through his leadership, Virginia was one of the first to develop agricultural education programs in horticulture, agribusiness, conservation and forestry and agricultural machinery service. During his tenure, he served as the national treasurer of the FFA and the FFA Foundation for 22 years, in several offices of the Virginia Farm and Home Electrification Council, on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Forestry Association and was appointed by the governor to the Plant Pollination Advisory Board. Mr. Campbell was awarded honorary State Farmer and Honorary American Farmer Degrees and Distinguished Service Awards by Virginia and National FFA organizations. Mr. Campbell was an avid gardener who pursued his passion for growing award winning daffodils and spent countless hours tending his flowers to the delight of all. He was a charter member of the Central Virginia Men's Garden Club, which provided fascinating horticultural exhibits for the State Fair every year. Mr. Campbell was a member of the Richmond Horticulture Association as well as the Virginia and American Daffodil Societies. His love and devotion to Va. Tech was second to none and intertwined his profession with one of his passions. He was a loyal Hokie fan, who rooted for his beloved Hokies by faithfully attending football games for over 40 years (Section 8, Row SS, Seats 6 and 8!). His love of Tech spawned an entire crop of baby Hokies, totaling three sons and a slew of grandchildren. Many a post-game found him on the dance floors in Blacksburg kicking up his heels with his many grandchildren and their friends. Mr. Campbell will undoubtedly continue to be a special fan, cheering Tech on from Heaven. Mr. Campbell was very civic minded, serving in several leadership positions with the Rockville Ruritan Club, Central Virginia Chapter of Mended Hearts and Meals on Wheels. He is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Helen; and four children, Julian M. Campbell Jr. (Marianne), Joel W. Campbell (Anna), James D. Campbell (Christine) and Janelle I. Bradshaw; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A true gentleman, his family will greatly miss his kind spirit, gentle nature and steadfast integrity. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, October 22 at the Parham Chapel of Woody Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. at the Westminster-Canterbury Retirement Center at 1600 Westbrook Ave. Interment will follow in the Westhampton Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Virginia FFA Foundation, Inc., 1002 Orchid Rd., Mineral, Va. 23117, Attention Mr. John Cash, director.

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Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch from Oct. 22 to Oct. 24, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Julian Campbell

14 Entries

Mary Nye

November 1, 2004

I have nothing but warm memories of this fine Southern gentleman. He always had a smile and a kind word for his Yankee nieces and nephews, and it was a pleasure to have known him. My love to the family.

Mary K.

Thomas Brinda

October 26, 2004

Dear Mrs. Campbell and the Campbell Family; I want to express my sympathy to you at the loss of your husband and father and acknowledge his many hours of dedicated work done in the service of our Garden. We will miss him and his friendly greetings offered to our many guests. Tom Brinda, Assistant Director, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

grayson johnson

October 24, 2004

It was a great pleasure to have known this fine gentleman

Peggy Boyd

October 24, 2004

Deepest sympathy to Helen and the children. Julian was a wonderful person who certainly "made a difference" during his long and full life.

Peggy Boyd, Thomas Jefferson Garden Club

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Bill Camp

October 23, 2004

As an FFA member in Georgia in the 1960s, I memorized Julian Campbell's name as National Treasurer of FFA; at the time it was just a name. As a faculty member in Agricultural Education at Virginia Tech in the early 80s, I was fortunate enough to work directly with Mr. Campbell in his role as head State Supervisor of Ag Ed in Virginia. Mr. Campbell’s passing is a great loss to ag educators everywhere and to me personally. He was much more than just a name.

Rusty Hall

October 22, 2004

A friend to all and a great leader. Mr. Campbell was a prime example of what every young person should want to grown up to be like. We in the agricultural family shall always remember Julian fondly and may his family know that our thoughts are with you. Using a reference to the FFA, Julian is imbarking upon a new day or era in his life in Heavens garden.

Sally Wambold

October 22, 2004

My condolences to all the family. Mr. Campbell must have been the most marvellous person.

Lennie Gamage

October 22, 2004

Mr. Campbell had just assumed the position of executive secretary of Virginia FFA when I served as state president. Having worked with him over many years at state and national level, I have the utmost respect for him personally and his leadership to agricultural education. A finer gentleman never lived. He will be missed by many of his longtime friends and associates. Our thoughts go out to his family at this time of sorrow.

Rodney Cogbill

October 22, 2004

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden extends its most heart-felt sympathies to the Campbell family.

Michael Brown

October 22, 2004

All of the Virginia Agricultural Education family has lost a true supporter and friend. I will always remember Mr. Campbell "stationed by the owl" as a great leader of FFA. Mike Brown, Agricultural Education Instructor, S.G. Stewart Middle School

P. M. Fravel

October 22, 2004

Hats are off to a leader recognized throughout the country for his service to the agricultural education community. I remember Mr. Campbell’s passion for his chosen career and well remember his annual summary of Virginia’s accomplishments at the teachers’ conference in Blacksburg. In my associations with agricultural education, which have now taken me to Clemson University, folks still ask about numerous Virginians who were active in the Ag Ed and FFA circles. Mr. Campbell’s name always comes forward. He lived to serve.

Jimmy Burcher

October 22, 2004

The impact that Dr. Campbell had on education and particularly agricultural education and the FFA will continue for many years. He was the true model of the southern gentleman and most professional in his behavior at all times. We will miss his radiant smile and gentle disposition as well as his words of wisdom. God bless the family and friends.

Angela Harper

October 22, 2004

To Jim and Christine, We extend our sympathy to you at this difficult time. After reading the obituary for Jim's father we wish we had met him and heard stories about Jim's younger years. Unfortunately we will not be able to attend the memorial service. We will keep you and your entire family in our prayers. Jim Staebler and

Jerry McKenna

October 22, 2004

Our deepest sympathies to the entire Campbell Family.

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