James O. Campbell

James O. Campbell entered eternal rest Monday, June 7, 2021, at Forsyth Nursing Home at the age of 91. James was born on July 10, 1929, in Seminole, Oklahoma. He was the fourth of eight children of William “Ben” and Nettie A. (Lowry) Campbell.

James enlisted himself at the early age of 16 and served in the United States Army from 1945 – 1949. His battalion was the first occupying force in Japan, and he was the last man in his unit to be extracted from Japan and honorably discharged shortly thereafter. He married the love of his life, Doris Campbell in Potter, NE April 8, 1955. Together they had many business ventures over the years. James worked as an oil well service operator in oil fields across Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and California. He owned his own well plugging company and plugged most of the wells along the Pacific Coast and all throughout Southern California. He also owned and operated two restaurants, Twin Kiss in Russell, KS and Arley’s in Siloam Springs, AR, as well as two motels: Pine Creek Motel Pinedale, WY, and   Columbine Motel in Grand Junction, CO. He also owned a large chicken farm in Gentry, AR and a sandpit in Sterling, KS. He moved to Branson, MO and retired there in 1990.

James worked hard and played hard. He so enjoyed people and loved a good party! He was the happiest when he was among family and friends, telling stories or giving someone a hard time. James loved to laugh and be the life of the party. He was a talented woodworker and loved to bowl and belonged to many bowling leagues throughout the years. He enjoyed collecting antique bottles and had an extensive rock collection. He also loved to go hunting and fishing, which he often did with his grandchildren.

James was a loving son, caring brother, loving father, and doting grandfather and great- grandfather. He is survived by his son Jim Campbell (Anna) of Forsyth, MO, three grandchildren Amy Campbell (Barry), Megan Martinez (Joseph), Michael Campbell (Monica); four great-grandchildren, Zachary and Xavier (Megan and Joseph), Elizabeth and Luke (Michael and Monica). He was greeted at Heaven's pearly gates by his son Arley, (July 10, 2011); his parents, Ben, Nettie, his brothers, Lesley, Richard, Arley, Jack and his sisters, Bernice, Darlene, and Lorita “Rita”.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home and Crematory in Branson on July 7th at 2pm. Refreshments will be served shortly after at The Greens at Branson Hills Community Center.

Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home and Crematory 1638 East State Highway 76

Branson, Missouri 65616

 Greens at Branson Hills

 110 Harbour Town Dr

 Branson, MO 65616

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