Jamie Campbell, 50, of Fontanelle

Funeral Services:  Will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle, Iowa, at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will be held at the church immediately following the service.  Pastors Tom and J.B. Hinote will officiate the service.  The Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle is in charge of the professional arrangements.  Online condolences may be left to the family at to be www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Family Visitation:  The family will greet friends on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at the Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Memorials:  May be directed to the Jamie Campbell Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date.

   James Lewis Campbell was born September 6, 1972 to Daryl and Sharon (Jantz) Campbell. He grew into a healthy, athletic young man who enjoyed playing basketball, wrestling, baseball, running track, and especially playing football. He was an avid football fan and was able to tell you players from nearly any team, what position they played and when they played. This was quite an impressive talent as reported by his nephews who would challenge him when going through football cards. Of course, his favorite teams were the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Dallas Cowboys.  He enjoyed getting a rise out of his Cyclone friends with his jokes or gifting them with Hawkeye gear.  Jamie also enjoyed the outdoors hunting, fishing, and canoeing.  He didn’t care if he came home with any spoils, but simply enjoyed the peace of the outdoors.   He worked hard walking beans, picking up bales, and fixing bikes at the hardware store.   

   Jamie was injured in a wrestling accident when he was 16 years old.  This changed his life. He was no longer able to use his arms or legs and was completely dependent upon a ventilator for many years. The things he enjoyed were either no longer an option or much more difficult. Instead of giving up, Jamie rose to the challenge.  There were hard days and rough times, but he never gave up.  He graduated from Bridgewater-Fontanelle High School in 1991.  Being a very independent young man, he decided he was moving out of Mom and Dad’s house just like everyone one else was doing.  He got an apartment and even though others worried, he was determined. He was cared for by so many fabulous, loving nurses and caregivers throughout his life.  So many became family to him and he worried equally about their lives and the challenges they faced.  He prayed for so many and would share his desire for them to come to know Jesus.  He would say right now if he could that more than anything, please seek out Jesus, know Him, and trust Him. Do it now. Give Him your life. This was his greatest desire for everyone, especially those he loved. Jamie often said that God had a plan for his life and he wouldn’t go back to walking if he could because God had given him the mission he had by putting him in a wheelchair and learning reliance and patience. He gave God glory in everything. He trusted Jesus. He grew up believing in Jesus but gave his life to the Lord as a young man, asking Jesus to forgive him and he excitedly accepted His gift of eternal life.  Because of this, those of us left behind can have great joy in knowing that Jamie is walking or likely running and jumping on the streets of gold with his Precious Jesus.

   Jamie attended the University of Iowa for a short time and then moved to Creston and attended SWCC where he got his Associate’s Degree. He was a smart guy who later volunteered at the Bridgewater Elementary School and then at the school in Fontanelle. He tutored kids who needed a bit extra help, read with kids, and cared very much for their education.  This was validated by his long stint on the Nodaway Valley School Board.  He would spend endless hours researching curriculum, studying policy, and then presenting what he believed was in the best interest of the students to the Board.  He was noted to vote “no” probably more often than any other member.  Not because he wanted to be difficult, but because he stood for what he believed to be best.  Jamie also served on the Fontanelle City Council and Enterprise Club.  He again did his research, stood up for what he believed and worked hard to make Fontanelle a great place to live and have a family.  He didn’t always make everyone happy, but if you took any time to talk to him about why he believed what he did, he was happy to share. 

   Jamie cared deeply for his family.  He was not fortunate enough to have a bride or his own children, but he loved every single one of his nieces and nephews as his very own.  He called them, loved on them, encouraged them and taught them many, many things. In fact, he taught them things that their moms would not even want to hear about for fear of someone getting hurt.  They learned to ride bikes, routes around town, how to do yardwork, how to cook, how to change the blade on a chain saw, how to change a bike tire, how to burn brush, along with even minor plumbing and electrical work.  A common joke was that if it could be rewired or patched Jamie would get it done.  His nieces and nephews had already decided that when they have their own children that Uncle Jamie would become Gruncle Jamie.  This was a cross between uncle and grandpa.  He was precious to them and they let him know it. Jamie left this world for his forever home prepared for him in Heaven on December 1, 2022.   He will be missed beyond what words can express by those who loved and cared for him. He holds a cherished place in the hearts of his sister Jennifer and husband Mike Woodruff, Ethan and Hannahlynn, Evan and Jordan, and Logan; sister Becky and husband Rick Killion, Nickolas and Lauryn; and brother Wesley Adam and Jackie Campbell, Emily, Eli, Amber and Kelly.  He is loved by aunts and uncles, cousins, and so many friends.  He will forever be remembered by those who cared for him daily.  You were all a treasure to him making the life he led possible. He appreciated you all so very much. Jamie was certainly welcomed to Heaven by a crowd that included his parents, Daryl and Sharon Campbell; grandparents, Olan and Avis Jantz, Sena, Louis, and Wesley Campbell, and should God allow beloved pets, his dog Keiser. What a homecoming it must still be!