James Zefford Campbell III

James Zefford Campbell III died August 2, 2022 due to Covid.

James enjoyed being around everybody; young, old, or in-between – your age did not matter to him. He had a great, dry sense of humor and a rich, deep, laugh. He was quite the team trivia player and loved surprises. He was also a gifted put-together and take-it-apart guy. James enjoyed quirky comedies, British television shows, and had quite the knack for easily understanding and imitating accents and dialects. He was always up for an adventure and would have traveled and explored places all over the world had he had the opportunity.

While a sophomore at Chapel Hill High School, James fell in love with acting when he first performed in Bye-Bye Birdie. He went on to act in four other productions there and graduated in 2002. It would be many years before he found his acting niche again. In 2018 James showed up to audition at the Carrollton Community Theater for what he thought was a “stand and pretend to talk” stage role in The Nutcracker. By the time his audition was over, Yurijs Safonovs had him dancing as a “party parent,” a role James would perform through 2021 and was looking forward to performing in 2022. Continuing at the Carrollton Cultural Arts Center, James went on to perform in Shrek – the Musical, La Boheme, Clue, and 9-5 – The Musical. At the time of his passing, he was looking forward to performing with the Carrollton Repertory Theatre in their upcoming production of RENT.

James loved his family deeply. If he could have called the shots, his two brothers, Adam and Charlie, would have moved back home with their brides as soon as their wedding ceremonies concluded, and they would have raised his three nephews and niece under the same roof. Growing up, his favorite family activity was hiking. 

It is no coincidence that the first word James spoke was “light” because from birth, he would light up any room he entered. His smile was 1,000 watts. James’ keen memory was almost scary. He was the family historian, especially for dates. And he knew the location of every object at home. He could recall conversations and details of events with precision accuracy.

James was appointed to the Douglas County Cemetery Commission in December, 2006, and served as their photographer. He immensely enjoyed learning about, locating, and maintaining the 67 private cemeteries in Douglas County and appreciated their history.

James was quick to forgive and quick to ask forgiveness. Most of all, James was a kind, helpful, godly man who brought much joy and laughter to others – except that time he dumped an entire container of baby powder on his baby brother’s head – or that other time he dumped an entire box of instant mashed potatoes on his baby brother’s head and was stopped just before emptying a bottle of syrup there, too.

James was born in Douglasville, GA, on March 21, 1982. He is preceded in death by his grandmother Val Carter (Huntsville, AL); grandfather Bill Campbell (Leeds, AL), grandmother Frances Campbell (Leeds, AL); grandmother Mildred Campbell (Huntsville, AL); grandfather Ray Carter (Huntsville, AL); uncle Larry Campbell (Huntsville, AL), and uncle Jim Parsons (Huntsville, AL).

He is survived by his parents Jim and Cynthia Campbell of Douglasville, GA;  brother Adam Campbell (Sarah) of Dayton, TN; brother Charlie Campbell (Tiffany) of Villa Rica, GA; bonus brother Jared Siler (Hannah) of Villa Rica, GA; grandmother Betty Faye Parsons Carter of Huntsville, AL; aunt Kaye Campbell of Huntsville, AL; aunt Cam Parsons Shelton of Huntsville, AL; aunt Rev. Amy Parsons Vaughn (David) of Hartselle, AL; aunt Sonya Miller (David) of Leeds, AL; nephews Noah Campbell, James M. Campbell, Luke Campbell; and niece Isla Grace Campbell.

James liked very bright colors. If you plan to attend his Celebration of Life Service, please feel free to wear brightly colored clothing.

Celebration of Life Service will be Saturday, August 13, 2022 at Grace Presbyterian Church

5000 Stewart Pkwy. Douglasville, GA 30135.

Visitation 11:00 A.M. (EDT)

Service 12:00 P.M. (EDT) with interment immediately following at Meadowbrook Memory Garden, Villa Rica, GA

Rev. David Gilbert, officiating

The service will be live streamed and also available for viewing later on the Grace Presbyterian Church of Douglasville, GA, YouTube Channel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in James’ memory to a cause he championed:

PRC Medical

3030 Chapel Hill Rd.

Douglasville, GA 30135

Messages of condolences may be sent to the family at www.jones-wynn.com. Jones-Wynn Funeral Home of Douglasville is in charge of the arrangements. 770-942-2311.