COLUMBUS
James (Jim) Charles Campbell, passed peacefully Tuesday morning, February 13, 2018, surrounded by family at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana in Columbus.
Many will know Jim, “Mr. Hilltop,” from his ministry as manager at Hilltop Christian Camp in Brown County, where he served from 1981 until his retirement in 2011, as well as pastor at Jonesville Christian Church, in Jonesville, and Calvary Christian Church in Edinburgh.
He was a member at Ogilville Christian Church for 37 years and served as elder for much of that time.
James and his twin brother, John, were born in Saginaw, Michigan on October 5, 1942 to Paul and Clara Campbell.
When Jim was about 7 years old, the family, which included his older siblings, Kathryn, David, Anita, and his younger brother Stephen, settled in the Columbus area.
He attended grammar school in Burnsville and high school at Columbus North. Jim began attending Cincinnati Bible Seminary the fall of 1960. While working on his BA in Bible at CBS, he preached at various country churches in the region and was formerly ordained in to the ministry at First Christian Church in Columbus.
During his freshman year at CBS, in addition to developing his life-long affinity for Sky Line Chili, he met and fell in love with Nadine Ridgway and, after four years of courting, they were married during Jim’s senior year on March 28, 1964 in Xenia, Ohio.
In the fall of 1964, Jim began his full-time ministerial career as camp manager at Butler Springs Christian Assembly in Hillsboro, Ohio, where he and Nadine served faithfully until 1977.
While at Butler Springs, Jim honed his skills as preacher, fundraiser, church leader, jack-of-all-trades, and, with the birth of sons Steve, Scott, and Aaron, a father.
Jim had a brief stint as a construction project manager, plumber, and HVAC contractor before being called back in to the ministry as pastor at Bengal Christian Church near Franklin.
He served the congregation at Bengal for one year before being called back to Christian camp management, which he believed was his true calling, at Hilltop, in 1981.
Through Jim’s faithful work, thousands of campers, faculty, staff, and volunteers have experienced the unique joy that can only be had by being part of a week at camp.
Jim loved his family and friends dearly and will be sorely missed.
Jim is survived by his wife, Nadine; son, Stephen (Barbra) and granddaughters, Ella and Lydia Campbell of Indianapolis; his son, Scott (Lisa) and grandsons Declan and Rogan Campbell of Indianapolis; his son, Aaron Campbell of Southern Indiana; brother, David (Mitzi) Campbell of Ocala, FL; sister, Anita Phillippi of Indianapolis; and sister-in-law, Judy Campbell of Flat Rock.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Paul F. and Clara Campbell of Burnsville; sister, Kathryn (Roger) Duncan of Royal Oaks, MI; brother, Stephen L. Campbell of Flat Rock; and infant twin brother, John Marcus Campbell.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to: Hilltop Christian Camp, 6014 Hamilton Creek Rd., Columbus, IN 47201; or Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, 2626 East 17th St., Columbus IN 47201.
Visitation will be at Ogilville Christian Church from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, February 16 and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, February 17.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held at Ogilville Christian Church at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2018 with Minister David Altman officiating.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the Campbell family at barkesweaverglick.com.
