Frank Campbell

Dr. Frank Ross Campbell of 461 Maple Lane, passed away Tuesday, March 22, 2016. He was born on January 4, 1936 in Roanoke, VA, a son of the late Clarence and Frances Slayton Campbell. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Janet Hale Campbell; two daughters, Catherine Campbell Burgess and her husband Mike of Danville and Donna Campbell Burki of Austin, TX; four grandchildren, Jessica Burgess, Melissa Burgess, Ross Burki and Sarah Burki; and his sister, Shirley Campbell Duncan. He graduated from Jefferson Senior High School, Roanoke, VA, received a Bachelor of Arts from Carson Newman College; a Bachelor of Divinity, Master of Theology, and a Doctor of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary; a Doctor of Divinity from Wake Forest University; an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy form Kyungman University, Masan, Korea, and additional study at the School of Pastoral Care of North Carolina Baptist Hospital, Vanderbilt University and the University of Richmond. Dr. Campbell served as President of Averett University for 17 years (1985-2002), Interim President of Gardner-Webb University (2002-2005), and the Executive Director of Stratford House from 2006-2013.Dr. Campbell was named the “Father of Averett Football” in 2014. Construction started in 2015 on the Frank R. Campbell Football Stadium at Averett Univesity. Prior to assuming the presidency at Averett University, Dr. Campbell served as Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Statesville, NC for 19 years. He also served as pastor for English Creek Baptist in Newport, TN for 1 year, Corinth Baptist Church and Peace’s Chapel Baptist in Oxford, NC for 3 years, and New Hope Baptist in Raleigh, NC for 5 years. Dr. Campbell was an active member of First Baptist Church, Danville, Va. He served as a Deacon, on the Pastoral Search Committee, and was often asked to preach. Dr. Campbell served on the Board of Directors for Danville Regional Medical Center and was elected Chairman of the Board in 2008. He served as President of the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce in 1998; the Campaign Manager in 1991 and President in 1993 for the Danville/Pittsylvania County United Way; on the Advisory Board of Danville Hospice; and the Dan Daniel Memorial Park Steering Committee. He also served on the Board of Directors for First Citizens Bank, North Theatre, Charles B. Keesee Educational Foundation, and Roman Eagle Memorial Home. Dr. Campbell served as President of the Baptist State Convention of NC from 1981-1983; a member of the Board of Trustees at Wake Forest University from 1983-1987; former Chairman and member of the Board of Trustees for the Medical Center of North Carolina Baptist Hospital and Bowman Gray School of Medicine. Dr. Campbell was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Eta Sigma, Danville Friends of the Library, Danville Arts and Humanities, Danville Concert Association, and Danville Rotary Club. Dr. Campbell was the recipient of “Citizen of the Year Award” from the Statesville Civitan Club and the recipient of the “Citizen of the Year Award” from the Danville Kiwanis Club. He also served as a Professor of Religion at Averett University, Adjunct Faculty for Gardner-Webb University, and supervisor for Doctoral students at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. A Celebration of Life service will be on Friday, March 25, 2016 at 11am at First Baptist Church with the Reverend John Carroll officiating. Burial will be private. The family will receive friends in the Heritage Room at First Baptist Church on Friday from 10 to 11 am and at other times will be at the residence. The family request that memorials be sent to the Frank and Janet Campbell Endowed Scholarship Fund, Averett University, 420 West Main Street, Danville, VA 24541 or the First Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 871 Main Street, Danville, VA 24541