In Memory of Jim Campbell
Home ] Up ] Photo Galleries ] Town Guides ] Notables ] Community ] News ] Places ] History ] Search ] Contact Us ]


“A man who was very proud to be a part of the fabric of Maybole society.”

 

That was how Rev Brian Hendrie described Jim Campbell, 78, at his funeral service which was held at Masonhill Crematorium last week. He said, “Although we’re meeting together today in sad circumstances, we’re also meeting to honour Jim’s memory and to celebrate his life and everything that was so good, happy and caring about the life he led.

 

Although well-known over many years in Maybole, Jim was born in Girvan. His family then moved to Maybole where he went to Carrick Academy. Even when his family moved to Kirkland Street, instead of going to Cairn Primary, Jim insisted on staying at Carrick Academy.

 

In time, Jim found a job as a Telegram Boy with the Post Office and remained in their employment, moving on to becoming a postman; a counter clerk, and up to retirement, he was involved in administration.

His National Service in Egypt gave him a year’s break, and he considered this to be a positive experience overall. He met Ruby after his National Service, and they were  inseparable as a couple for 56 years. Their family was complete, when, over the years, Jacqueline, Lesley and Colin were born and, as a family, they enjoyed holidays at home and abroad.

 

Jim had a passion for music too, and this began at an early age.  Whenever he saw a band playing out in the street, his mother had to run and take him inside the house, as he would quite happily have followed the band all the way out of town! Jim loved brass band music and swing. He loved the music of Queen and anything classical.  He played the baritone with Maybole Burgh Band, Ayrshire Yeomanry and Barrhead Brass Band, winning many competitions along the way.

 

He taught himself to play the accordion and the electric organ; and one of his favourite pieces of music was “The Dark Island” which was played at the close of the service.

 

Jim was very proud to be a part of the fabric of Maybole society. He was elected to Maybole Town Council in the early 1970s and was the first chairman of Maybole Community Association. He was a loyal supporter of Maybole Juniors Football Club. He was also a member of the Maybole Branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland and was proud to have played, on occasion, the bugle, sounding the Last Post at Remembrance Services.

 

Jim was also a founder member of Carrick Speakers Social Club; and he played bowls at the Memorial Park Bowling Club for 50 years from 1961 until 2011. He had a great rapport with the younger members at the Bowling Club – earning the nickname, “The Bald Eagle” and a t-shirt with those words emblazoned on it.  Jim was deeply touched to be made an Honorary Member of the Club earlier this year.

 

Jim was also one of the “Shore Boys”. Of all the members of that elite group, Jim was always first to arrive, so that he could light a fire to make tea and some hot food!  He’d always be the last to leave as well, having first made sure that the fire was safely out and that the chairs and tables were safely away. Many a happy Monday was spent there amongst very good friends.

 

Jim also joined the OIR Walking Group. He’d always drive the bus to the location, take part in the walk and then drive the bus back to Maybole. When he was asked, (after a long walk), if he was too tired to drive the bus back, he’d just say – “Och, it’s OK, I can have a sleep on the way back!” Not the best idea for the driver, but it speaks volumes about Jim’s sense of fun.

 

Unfortunately, Jim suffered a severe heart attack whilst walking on Arran 16 months ago. Against all the odds, he made a slow, steady recovery, enough to continue enjoying life, albeit at a much slower pace.  During his retirement, Jim was fortunate enough to visit Australia twice, and Canada once. He always had a dream too to sail up the Suez Canal, where he did his National Service, and this was an ambition that he fulfilled in 2009.

 

And Jim’s proudest role in life came three years ago, when he became a Grampa to his beloved little Hana. We mourn his loss together today, but we’re also comforted in the knowledge that Jim’s life was long, full, fulfilling and very happy.

 

We extend our sympathies today especially to Ruby, Jacqueline, Lesley & Colin, as they mourn a much loved husband and father; also remembering Margaret, Jessie and Sam, as they grieve for the brother they cherished. And our condolences also go out to the wider family who knew Jim as a devoted brother-in-law, uncle, great uncle and great-great uncle.

 

We meet today, with them, to mourn Jim; but also to celebrate his life, and to begin to gently let go; whilst holding on to the many happy memories that remain so precious.  And we’re thankful too for all the special memories of Jim that can never be taken away from us, and for the comfort that those memories will give to us today and in days to come.”