Kirby Campbell, 81, of Wellington, Texas, passed away Thursday,May 16,2024.
Memorial services took place at 2 p.m. Monday, May 20, 2024, at the First Methodist Church with Pastor Gene Weinette officiating. Inurnment followed in North Fairview Cemetery. Cremation and arrangements were by Adams Funeral Home of Wellington.
He was born on Aug. 2, 1942, in Wellington to Cliff and Rachel Rainer Campbell.
Kirby graduated from Wellington High School in 1960 and attended Texas Tech University. He married Evelyn Chester on Nov. 30, 1964, in Amarillo,Texas.
He joined the U.S. Navy in June of 1965. Stationed in Norfolk, Va. during the Vietnam War, Kirby was honorably discharged after serving four years.
Upon being discharged, he returned home to work for his dad, farming, ranching and working with C & C Rodeo Company, of which his dad was the co-owner.
Kirby began a long career in the insurance business when he opened a Farmers Union Insurance Agency in Wellington. In 1983, he became a partner with Bobo Castleberry and Betsy Lemons in 1st Wellington Agency. He sold his interest when he retired in 2013.
He was a member of the First Methodist Church, the Masonic Lodge and the Scottish Rite.
Kirby served multiple terms as president of the Wellington ISD School Board and several terms as the Collingsworth County Commissioner for Precinct 1. He volunteered for many years with the Wellington Volunteer Ambulance Service and the Wellington EMS, where he served as the treasurer most of those years.
He became an avid photographer at an early age. Kirby developed into a noted photographer for his work, and he really enjoyed his time as the sports photographer for the Wellington Leader.
Kirby also became a Little League certified umpire. He called games in Wellington and the surrounding area for many years. He once said, “That was the hardest exam I ever took,”and he had taken a lot of insurance license exams over the years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Evelyn, in 2017; and his daughter, Joie Campbell Blake, in 2021.
Kirby is survived by his son, Cliff H. Campbell and wife Michelle, of Alba,Texas; a son-in-law, Clay Blake, of Amarillo; two brothers, Jim Campbell and wife Mickye, of Amarillo, and Tommy Campbell and wife Donna, of Gould, Okla.; a sister, Jane Campbell, of Wellington; and six grandchildren, Hatch, Easton, Callahan, Abram, Sarah and Cloie.
The family suggests that memorials be made to Wellington EMS, P.O. Box 544, Wellington,TX 79095.
Sign the online guestbook at adamsfuneralsvc.com.
