James Franklin Campbell

It is with great sadness that we announce that Mr. James Campbell passed away in Bakersfield on September 20, 2024 at the age of 88.

James Franklin Campbell was born on May 10, 1936 to Mary Oral Rawles and Dale Oris Campbell in Santa Ana, California. His mother Mary Oral Rawles was part of a big family. On his mom’s side, James had 5 aunts, 3 uncles and a total of 28 first cousins. Longevity ran in the Rawles family. James grandmother Lena lived to be 95 and then his aunt Norma lived until 98 year old. 

James began his life married to Norma Jean Wimsett in 1957 and had Julie Jean and Jay Lester. During this time, he had moved to Bakersfield. James had been unmarried since 1986. 

 Although James didn’t finish high school, James (aka-Jim or Jimbo) was a successful entrepreneur. Jim owned a liquor store in Anaheim and a lodge at Mt. Shasta. Among other things, he was also a sewing machine salesperson. Jim worked very hard and was a shrewd businessman. James was a good man and cared for his loved ones. His hobbies were playing his guitar( until he shot his finger off while cleaning one of his guns), working on his guns, making knives and hunting. James desired to go to Alaska to hunt for Bear, but never made time to go on the trip. After retirement, he found joy meeting up with his buddies to eat breakfast early in the morning and smoke a cigarette and have a glass of whisky or 2 at the moose lodge in the afternoon.

 James was preceded in death by both his parents Mary Oral Rawles and Dale Oris Campbell, his sister Dona Dale, his son Jay Lester, and his daughter Julie Jean.

 James is survived by his grandson Casey Russell Schwaninger.

Jim is cherished, loved and never forgotten by many. His humor and smile will be missed by all.