John Polk Campbell

John Polk Campbell, 82, of Bolivar passed away October 7, 2018 at Citizen’s Memorial Health Care Facility where he had been a resident for the past two months. He was born December 31, 1935 to Jones Polk and Jewel Holman Campbell at the family farm southwest of Bolivar. He graduated from Bolivar High School in 1954 and attended Southwest Baptist College. John married his high school sweetheart Neita Armstrong on July 7, 1957 at the First Christian Church in Bolivar. They were the parents of 2 children John Polk Jr. and Jill. They soon built a home southwest of Bolivar on land that had been in the Campbell family since 1848. John continued to farm that land until 2016. John started his farming career at an early age assisting his father. During this time, he was also involved with 4-H and FFA projects. Later as his father’s eyesight failed he managed both his father’s and his own cattle operations. He was happiest spending time on his tractor maintaining the quality of his pastures or just riding among his cattle herd enjoying nature’s beauty. He also enjoyed traveling with family and friends to see the beauty of other areas. His travels included visits to most of the United States and Canada and even a trip to Russia with the People to People organization. A visit to Marshfield, Missouri to attend the Cherry Blossom Festival and Presidential Families Reunion was a special event thoroughly enjoyed by the whole family each spring. Preserving his family’s history was important to John. His great-grandfather Ezekiel M. Campbell, a first cousin to President James K. Polk, was credited with being an original settler of Bolivar and Polk County. As part of his preservation efforts, John was instrumental in establishing the Polk County North Ward Museum. When the Historical Society was gifted a two-story log cabin in excellent condition by long- time friend and neighbor Paul Taylor, John took on the monumental task of moving it to the museum grounds. Family survivors include his wife of 61 years, Neita; his daughter, Jill Campbell; one sister, Virginia Roedder all of Bolivar; several nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as many friends. John will also be missed by his two loving grand pups, Callie and Truffle. He was preceded in death by his son John Jr., his parents Jones and Jewel Campbell, and two sisters Eloise Hurst and Carolyn Bays. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, October 12, 2018 at Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Bolivar. Visitation will be on Thursday, October 11,2018 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Butler Funeral Home, Bolivar, MO. The family has requested memorial donations go to the Bolivar High School FFA scholarship fund or the Polk County North Ward Museum.

John Polk Campbell

December 31, 1935 - October 7, 2018