James Clark Campbell

Washington City, Utah – James Clark Campbell, age 81, passed away on Thursday, April 5, 2018. He was born on December 12, 1936 to Sterling Wadsworth Campbell and Estelle Imogene Clark in Berkeley, California. He met the love of his life, Katherine Irene Skousen aboard the S.S. Hope during its year of medical service in Jamaica in 1971. They were married on May 27, 1972 in Chandler, Arizona. Jim grew up in central and northern California. He was an avid swimmer and scuba diver. In the era of big bands playing the trumpet at school dances was great because then he didn’t have to dance. He attended UC Berkeley for his undergraduate work and went on to receive his professional training in Dentistry and Oral Surgery at the University of California San Francisco. He practiced in Oakland and British Columbia, Canada before moving to Chico, California and opening a practice there. He was a Clinical Instructor at the Highland Alameda County Hospital for 16 years and a Diplomat of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He left private practice in 1979 to be the Director of Dental Services in Pago Pago, American Samoa for two years. He then chose to serve his country as a Commander with the United States Public Health Service in Oklahoma where he was a consultant in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. In 1982 he began private practice again in Yucca Valley and Palm Desert, California. After forty four years of practice he retired in 2001. Dr. Campbell was the only oral surgeon in the area to accept Medi-Cal patients and was known for taking items for trade for his services in lieu of monetary payment and sponsoring children’s sports teams. He was an adjunct Professor of Oral Surgery at Loma Linda University for many years, a member of the American Dental Society and the International Society of Oral Surgeons. Jim dedicated his time and energy to the service of others. Jim met his wife, Kathy while both were volunteering on the hospital ship H.O.P.E in Kingston, Jamaica. They continued to work together in American Samoa, Bangladesh, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, St. Lucia, Brazil, Bolivia, Honduras, Taiwan/China and South Korea. Jim would often work for 10-11 months of year, just to take a month off to serve with organizations to bring medical and dental care to under-served areas of the world. Jim enjoyed the outdoors especially hunting and fishing. As an Eagle Scout, he was active in the leadership of the Boy Scouts of America. He developed a love for sport fishing and took his wife and children with him on many of his adventures. Jim was a commercially rated multi-engine pilot and a certified flight instructor in his free time and enjoyed flying together with his family. His first activity in retirement was to build his own single engine Glastar aircraft. Jim was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in leadership positions including the stake high council and as bishop of his ward in Yucca Valley, CA. He was especially close to the Samoan Saints in 29 Palms as they helped him and his wife, adopt a wonderful son, Clark Ili-ili from Western Samoa. Jim applied his focus on service to others to all of his callings in the church. He spent many hours ministering to those in need and had an inspiring testimony of Jesus Christ. He supported two daughters serving missions for the Church. Jim is survived by his wife of almost 46 years, Katherine and his daughters Kristin Rodriguez (Robert) of West Sacramento, California, Karin Edwards of St. George, Utah and Karlene Baker (Jeremy)of Leesburg, Virginia and his son Clark Ili-ili Campbell (Kelly) of Las Vegas, Nevada. He has nine grandchildren: Rebekah Rodriguez, Braden Baker, Lily Baker, Payton Baker, Zackery Rodriguez, Penny Baker, Kadence Edwards, Tally Baker and Chloe Baker. Jim is also survived by his brother, Donald Campbell of Lafayette, California. The family would like to thank all the members of the Washington Fields 15th ward for their support; especially Bishop Hughes and his High Priest group. We are grateful to all the friends and family who have sent messages of condolence. A memorial service for Jim will be held on May 12, 2018 at the Washington Fields 15th ward building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints at 628 South 3000 East, St. George, UT 84790 at 2:00 pm.

James Clark Campbell

December 12, 1936 - April 5, 2018