- Date Of Birth: May 24, 1934
- Date Of Death: January 19, 2021
- State: Illinois
Ronald L. “PeeWee” Campbell, 86, beloved husband and father, of Sun City, AZ and formerly of Jacksonville, IL, died Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at Banner Boswell Medical Center in Sun City, AZ.
Ronald was born May 24, 1934, in Jacksonville, IL, the son of Byron and Myrle Shawen Campbell. He was the brother of Byron Campbell and Maxine Dean (both deceased). Ronald married Frances Marshall on May 2, 1954, in Mississippi.
He is survived by his wife, Frances Campbell, and five children, Brad (Pamela) Campbell of Osage Beach, MO, Sue Walden (Paul, husband deceased) of Jacksonville, IL, Joni (Daniel Nau) Horn of Queen Creek, AZ, Pamela Martin (John) of Arlington, TX, and Michael (Katie) Campbell of Jacksonville, IL. He has eleven grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.
Growing up, Ronald was very active with sports. He was a member of the David Prince Junior High School State Champion Softball Team; a member of the first undefeated Jacksonville High School Football Team; and a high school All-State Linebacker. He graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1952, and was later inducted into the Jacksonville High School Sports Hall of Fame. In 1958, Ronald followed in his father and brother’s footsteps by becoming a member of the Jacksonville Fire Department.
During his career Ronald rose through the ranks and retired in 1988 at the rank of Captain. He always said it “was an honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Jacksonville”. Ronald LOVED Jacksonville. He coached Elks Little League Baseball for sixteen years, and coached five years with the Pony and Colt Leagues at Nichols Park. He was also one of many in the Fire Department instrumental in the planning of the first July 4th celebrations held at Nichols Park. Ronald was also a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan and was thrilled when the Cubs won the 2016 World Series.
