Obituary: Fred Campbell

Fred Campbell, of Oak Ridge, passed away Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, at his home.

The son of the late Ida Mae and Samuel Elliot Campbell of Fulton, Ky., Fred was born May 8, 1926. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Paris, Dean and James Campbell.

A 50-year resident of Oak Ridge, he lived most recently at Greenfield of Oak Ridge. There, he was lovingly cared for by his wife, Patty Glover Campbell, during the decline of his health in recent years, following open heart surgery, from which he never fully recovered.

At the age of 18, he went into military service in World War II and served as a scout in the U.S. Army in European campaigns in Germany and Austria. At the end of the war, his unit entered a German prison camp on the second day after its liberation.

Fred was a 1951 graduate of Murray State University in Murray, Ky., where he was a letterman in swimming. There, he met Patty Glover.

Fred’s 40-year career with Union Carbide began in 1951 in western Kentucky, when the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant was under construction. He transferred to company operations in Oak Ridge in 1963, and he worked as a computer programmer analyst at Y-12 and K-25 until his retirement in 1991. He also studied at The University of Tennessee, where his wife taught on the College of Business Administration faculty for years.

A devoted member of First United Methodist Church since 1963, Fred served on church-wide committees and was a faithful member of the Genesian Class, for which he coordinated music selections for years of Sunday morning lessons and he led the singing. He sang in the Chancel Choir and was the longest-serving member when he retired in 2007 from the tenor section. He was involved in bringing FUMC worship services to the Greenfield retirement community, where he led the singing.

During his son, Robb’s, childhood and youth, Fred was a scout leader and assistant scoutmaster for the troop at the Christian Church of Oak Ridge. He enjoyed cooking and shared breads, cakes, and pies with family and appreciative friends.

He loved the East Tennessee mountains and was a member and officer in the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club. Fred was active in the American Legion, serving in several offices, including commander for Post #199 of Oak Ridge and for many years served in Military Honor Guards for Anderson County and Oak Ridge Veterans Day events. He was involved in selecting the site for the Ben Atchley Veterans Home. He collected an extensive library of titles about the history of the U.S. Civil War and campaigns in the World War II European Theater and was somewhat of an authority on the Civil War.

In retirement, Fred enjoyed home gardening, and for a while, worked in the gardens of Ramsey House in Knoxville. His back yard was a showplace of azaleas that he had propagated and raised. He played social bridge clubs and duplicate bridge. An officer in the Scottish Society, he pursued interests in genealogy, Scottish history and culture, and Campbell family heritage.

Fred’s most meaningful volunteer experience was at the Methodist Medical Center Emergency Room from 1991-2010. At the same time, he volunteered with Mothers Against Drunk Driving and was a swimming instructor for the American Red Cross, Oak Ridge and Paducah, KY chapters.

He is survived by his wife, Patty Glover Campbell, of Oak Ridge; son, Robert F. Campbell, MD., and wife Anne Wright Campbell, M.D., of Shoreview, Minn.; grandchildren, Laura Campbell, MD., and husband Mike of Pittsburgh, Penn.; Matthew Campbell, Stanford University doctoral student and wife Kristen; and Benjamin Campbell, University of Minnesota doctoral student and wife, Megan.

Survivors also include sister and brother-in-law, Linda Glover Capps and husband John of Huntsville, Ala.; brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Robert and Peggy Glover and sister-in-law, Harriet Glover of Trenton, Ky.; first cousin, Jack Rist of Huntsville, Ala.; and numerous nieces and nephews, and special friends, Carol and Cliff Johnson of Knoxville.

The family received friends on Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 12–2 p..m at the First United Methodist Church. The funeral followed at 2 p.m. with lead pastor, Richard Edwards, officiating. Interment at Oak Ridge Memorial Park was private.

The family asks that any memorial contributions be made in his memory to the First United Methodist Church Music Program or to the Scott–Morgan project at the church.

Weatherford Mortuary is handling the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.