AREA OBITUARIES – Don Campbell

Donald “Don” Byrn Campbell, age 87, of South Fulton, Tenn., passed away on Wed., Sept. 23, 2026, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Union City, Tenn.
Don was born on May 2, 1939, to the late John Enoch and Sarah Campbell in Fulton, Ky.
During his teen years, Don became an accomplished ham radio operator. He extended his expertise in Morse code while serving in the National Guard and Reserves.
After attending college, Don joined his father’s local plumbing company. Through his hard work, vision, and determination, he successfully grew the business into a mechanical contracting corporation, naming it in honor of his father, J. E. Campbell, Inc. He and his brother-in-law continued to grow the company for more than 50 years.
Don loved his community. During the 1980s, he served as a city commissioner and played an important role in helping bring several industrial plants to the Twin Cities. His dedication and service were recognized when he was honored as Citizen of the Year in 1983.
Don was a member of First Baptist Church, in Fulton, and also enjoyed attending Mt. Ararat Church in Troy, Tenn.
He was an avid golfer and loved traveling the world to experience and play some of the most renowned golf courses. He was a licensed pilot and earned his certification in scuba diving, always eager to experience new places and new adventures.
One of Don’s favorite places to travel was Ixtapa, Mexico. He loved the culture, music, and beauty of the area and returned every year to enjoy all that it had to offer.
Don is survived by three children, Lisa Stem, Kim Austein, and David Campbell, all of South Fulton; five grandchildren, Heather Campbell, of South Fulton, Samirae Campbell, of Fulton, PJ Austein, of Senatobia, Miss., Erica Lochner (Todd), of Piperton, Tenn., and Hannah Campbell (Jeff Gearin), of Hornbeak, Tenn.; nine great-grandchildren, Alison (Jeff) Clement and Madison Puckett, both of South Fulton, Kingston Walsh and Jaxon Campbell, both of Fulton, James Lochner, John Lochner, and Shiloh Lochner, all of Piperton, and Malachi Watts and Amori Gearin; one great-great-grandchild, Ada Beth Clement, of South Fulton; a sister, Cathy (John) Burrow, of South Fulton; his brother-in law, Randy Jeffress of South Fulton; and several nieces and nephews, including John Fulcher (Jenny), of South Fulton, Amy Parnell, of Obion, Paul Fulcher (Amy) of Knoxville, Tenn., Jennifer Wright (Chad), of McMinnville, Tenn., Tracy Alexander (Jim), of Memphis, Tenn., Benita (David) Fuzzell, of South Fulton, Melissa (Bill) Binford, of Dallas, Ga., Amy (Kelly) Libby, of West Plains, Mo., and Jeff (Tracy) Jeffress, of Greenville, S.C.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Judy Campbell, to whom he was married for 58 years; his son-in-law, Gary Stem; his sister, Cynthia (Norman) Fulcher; and his sister-inlaw, Suzie Jeffress.
Don will be lovingly remembered for his adventurous spirit, his success as a businessman, his dedication to his community, and, most importantly, his love for his friends and family. To know Don was to love Don. As he would say, “This is the best life I have ever lived.”
He will truly be missed.
Pallbearers will be Pat Gossum, Rob Coffey, Randy Mann, David Hutchins, Michael Easterwood, John Fulcher, Paul Fulcher and Mike Hawks. Honorary pallbearers David Pirtle, David Gilbert, John Burrow, Randy Jeffress, Teddy Barclay, Ward Bushart, Philip Andrews, Gary Grooms and David Prater.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Sat., Sept. 26, 2026 at Hornbeak Funeral Chapel with burial to follow in the Greenlea Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the hour of service.
Hornbeak Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.