James “Jim” Thomas Campbell of Allen, Texas passed away December 25, 2024, on his 56th birthday. Jim was born to Thomas D. and Rhinda Leah (Boothe) Campbell on December 25, 1968, in Oak Hill, Ohio.
Jim spent most of his childhood in Columbus, Ohio and graduated from Columbus Alternative High School in 1987. After graduation, Jim made his way to Texas and channeled his love for technology and learning into a prolific career in Cyber Security. The list of his certifications and credentials is extensive, including his CCISO, CISSP, CCSP, CCSK, and so many more! Jim’s success in his field was due to his passion, ambition, and love for learning. For years, it had bothered him that he did not finish college. Jim enrolled at East Texas A&M Commerce and was due to earn his bachelor's degree in May 2025.
Jim met his wife, Jackie R. Finkner while they were both working at Republic Insurance. At a New Year’s event, they got to know each other and realized that their senses of humor were made to go together! They married on September 15, 2001, in Petersburg, Texas.
Jim and Jackie welcomed their son, Colin, in February of 2004. Colin was the apple of Jim’s eye, and they had many shared interests! They loved building Lego models, watching movies and spending time together in Boy Scouts along with just hanging out.
Jim was very civic-minded and dedicated to serving his community. He served in the National Guard and volunteered with the Community Emergency Response Team in Allen. He also served as a citizen volunteer with the Collin County Medical Reserve Corps. Part of Jim’s love for community stemmed from his long-time involvement with the Boy Scouts of America, a passion he shared with Colin. Jim was an Eagle Scout and parlayed that into serving as a Cub Scout Den Leader of Den 15 in Pack 630. Instilling his love of the Boy Scout values, he then served as Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 1914, specifically involved with the patrol the "Nuclear Gummy Bears." It was an incredible point of pride for Jim that many of the scouts in the troop went on to become Eagle Scouts!
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jim saw another opportunity to build his knowledge and help his community by becoming an EMT. He loved the challenge and the intensity of the classes, proudly receiving his NREMT certification in June 2022. In fact, Jim was so passionate about it, he convinced Colin to also pursue a career in the field.
Being so technically and mechanically minded, Jim had a strong interest in fixing things, especially cars. He always had a project car that he would work on, race and then sell just to get another project car and start all over. He was currently a Mini-Cooper enthusiast and loved taking his Mini to SCCA events for solo racing.
Everyone that knew Jim knew that he had a wicked sense of humor and a laugh that was contagious. He was a man that would do anything for the people he loved, a man that thirsted for knowledge and learning, and a man that loved fiercely. He had a kindness streak that was a blessing to his community, and a way of listening that made people around him feel heard and valued. Jim was not afraid to reflect on what he considered his “flaws” and was on a constant journey to make himself and the world a better place. He will be dearly missed.
Jim is survived by his wife, Jackie Campbell and son, Colin Campbell, both of Allen, Texas; mother, Rhinda LaBella of Jackson, Ohio; sister, Tessa (Chuck) Balkon of Franklin, Tennessee; sister, Nancy Campbell of Cincinnati, Ohio; and stepmother, Mary Campbell of West Union, Ohio.
He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas D. Campbell.
The family will receive guests for a visitation from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Monday, December 30, 2024 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at the funeral home. Interment will be held at Ridgeview Memorial Park following the service. The service will also be live streamed at the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/james-jim-thomas-campbell.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s honor to the Gladney Foundation; HOME |Gladney Foundation which helps students who lack funding pursue a career as an EMT.