Obituary of James Willis Campbell Jr.

James Willis Campbell Jr. was born on May 3rd 1943 and passed away unexpectedly on June 9th 2023 at the age of 80.  He was born in Birmingham, Alabama and spent his early childhood in Jasper and Arley, Alabama. His family moved to Winter Haven, Florida 1961as his father was going to be the Pastor at Inwood Baptist Church. James (Jimmy) started working at Cypress Gardens as an Electric Boat Driver giving tours throughout the Gardens waterways. He soon became a Showboat Driver for the Water Ski Show and was considered one of the best by all of his colleagues. Jimmy started at Cypress Gardens in 1964 and worked there until it closed in 2009. He also served in the National Guard for 6 years.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his loving parents, Reverend James W. Campbell Sr. and Kathleen Hamner Campbell, he was survived by his brother and best friend, David Keith Campbell and wife Annie, his niece Katie Campbell Barris and husband Jamie, and his great nieces, Arden Sadie Barris 9 and Belle Barris 8.

Jimmy was an avid reader and a devout Alabama football fan "Roll Tide". Jimmy adored Katie and her children to which he devoted his life to.  Just days before his death, Jimmy could be found out on Lake Eloise pulling his nieces and friends tubing. He was "Uncle" to many of their friends. Jimmy was so loved and will be sorely missed by family and friends.