Mr. Dorsey “Jay” Campbell, a retired Chrysler worker and resident of the rural area near Owensville, passed peacefully from this life into heaven on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, following a long illness. He was born Oct. 11, 1945, in Dixon and lived to be 75 years old.
Jay is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 52 years, Elaine Josephine Campbell; his children, Dannell Jay Campbell, Tracy Dawn Sovar and Toby Clay Campbell and raised Dennis Dewayne Vaughn; as well as 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Emmaline Campbell and father, Earl Edgar Campbell; three siblings, Utah Joe Campbell, Leslie Leon Campbell and Norris Lee Campbell; granddaughter, Whitney Nicole Campbell; and great-grandchildren, ---Summer Nicole Miller and Killian Michael Miller.
Jay attended the Bland School system and later earned his GED while serving in the army. He was a helicopter mechanic in the service. He married Elaine while home on leave. He started a long career with Chrysler stretching over 30+ years. During layoffs he was fortunate to pursue two other interests he loved, mechanics and woodworking. He worked on cars at home and made beautiful cabinetry and furniture. Jay discovered a fondness for and great talent at restoring classic cars. He did beautiful work and showed in many car shows before his health deteriorated.
Jay was a Christian man and loved by his church and community and was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout Leader. He participated in many activities while raising children and grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by many who called him friend.
Viewing will be Friday evening, Oct.23, at Sassmann’s Chapel in Bland from 5-8 p.m.
Celebration of Life services will be held at Crossroads Baptist Church on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 10:30 a.m. with Danny Jarvis officiating. Interment will follow in the Bland Union Cemetery.
All are welcome however, the family requests that masks be worn during the visitation and service and social distancing rules be followed.
Flowers can be sent to Sassmann’s Funeral Home in Bland or expressions of sympathy can be made to the family to help with medical bills or to the Alzheimer’s association in lieu of flowers.
