Craig A Campbell

Craig A. Campbell, loving husband to Deborah, fine food and gas station chicken connoisseur, world traveler and proud Rogers native, passed away peacefully at home on April 28, 2023 after a seven year battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

Craig was born November 21st, 1950 in Harvey, IL to the late Dr. Walter W. Campbell and Mary Louise (Jacob) Campbell. In 1955, Craig’s family moved to Rogers, AR which would be his lifetime home with the exception of his four years of military service. Craig graduated from Rogers High School in 1969, serving as president of his senior class, which was a great honor. He attended the University of Arkansas on an Army ROTC scholarship and upon graduation served four years in the US Army Signal Corps. In 1978, he married the love of his life, Deborah Ruth Matthews. Upon completion of military service, he attended and graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1979 and immediately entered into private practice with his lifelong friend and brother in law, David Matthews. For nearly 40 years he served as a Senior Partner at the law firm of Matthews, Campbell, Rhoads, McClure, & Thompson, P.A. From 1982-1984 he served as the Benton County Juvenile Referee. He was a member of the Benton County Bar Association and particularly enjoyed the annual golf tournament. He was a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for more than 60 years. He served as the church board chair, trustee and as an Elder, but what he loved most was singing in the choir for 40 years. He served on the board of the Benton County Sunshine School, the Rogers Public Education Foundation, and the Adult Development Center (now known as Open Avenues.) He also served on the board of the Rogers Activity Center and coached Rogers Bambino Baseball for ten years. Under his leadership, the Rockies won the city championship, which was one of the many highlights of his life.

Craig loved his family, his church, his community, and his many dear friends. He was a slightly better than average golfer, a tremendous cook, and a lover of grocery shopping. He and Deborah shared a love of entertaining and hosted countless friends and family in their home with fine wine and great champagne. His infectious laugh would light up a room. For 25 years they hosted a Christmas Eve party with a house full of love, laughter, and music. Craig loved to travel and saw four continents with The Lambertini’s, his travel family for 25 years. Until his death, he could remember every single meal anyone ever enjoyed in his presence. He would wear a puka shell necklace, put seaweed on his chest, and answered to Cabana Craig when visiting the Gulf Coast for many summers. An avid sports fan, Craig loved eating hot dogs while watching the Arkansas Razorbacks and drinking Budweisers while watching golf with his two sons, Jacob and Ben. Craig also had a love for Kansas City, especially its bbq. Later in life, he was called Colorado and would eat squirrel and dumplings while horseback riding. To know him was to love him. The only known way to irritate him was to order a prime cut of beef “well done.”

Craig is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Douglas Campbell and Curtis Campbell, and his beloved fox terrier, Lucy. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, his two sons, Jacob Campbell (Christian), Benjamin Campbell (Erin), his brother Scott Campbell (Debbie), all of Rogers. He also leaves behind five beautiful grandchildren whom he dearly loved, Harrison Craig Campbell, Finlay Phillip Campbell, Griffin Greer Campbell, Graham Jacob Campbell, and Annie Roe Campbell. He also leaves behind numerous nephews, nieces, and a great nephew and many great nieces. He is also survived by many close friends of whom he considered family.

A celebration of Craig’s life will be held on Thursday May 4, 2023 at 10:00am at First Christian Church in Rogers, AR. The family will receive guests immediately following the service. The family would like to thank Circle of Life Hospice for the love and care they provided him during his last 25 days. Memorials are suggested, in Craig’s memory, to First Christian Church Music Ministry, 905 S 13th St, Rogers, AR 72758 www.FccRogers.org, the Rogers Public Education Foundation, PO Box 1021, Rogers, AR 72757 ( www.RogersPef.org), and Cure PSP, 1216 Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001 www.psp.org/iwanttohelp/ways-to-give/

Mr. Campbell's service will be streamed live at:

https://youtube.com/@FCCRogers

or

https://www.facebook.com/@FCCRogers

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.RollinsFuneral.com for the Campbell family.