Paul M. Campbell

Published in the Charlotte Observer on 6/24/2006.

Paul M. Campbell, age 88, of Charlotte passed away June 22, 2006 at Sardis Oaks Nursing Home. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Forest Lawn West Cemetery with Doctor Maynard Pittendreigh officiating. Visitation will follow the graveside service at the graveside.

Born September 1, 1917 in Charlotte, NC, he was the only son of the late Charles Davis Campbell and Fannie Cooper Campbell. Mr. Campbell grew up in the Hoskins Community and graduated from Paw Creek High School. He attended Brevard College.

Paul played high school baseball and was on the 1934 regional champion American Legion Team. he signed his first professional contracts in 1936 with the Boston Red Sox and played in the minor leagues for six years until his first appearance with the major league Red Sox team in 1942.

From 1943 to 1945, Mr. Campbell served in the U.S. Air Force in England and played on a team that toured the British air bases. He rejoined the Red Sox in 1946 and made an appearance in the 1946 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. During 1948-49, he played with the Detroit Tigers. Paul acted as playing coach and playing manager in several minor league clubs starting in 1950. In 1957 Mr. Campbell was business manager and general manager for the Louisville Colonels.

He began his long career with the Cincinnati Reds in 1958 when he became a scout. As a scout, Paul signed baseball standout, Tommy Helms to the Reds. In 1964 he was promoted to Traveling Secretary for the Reds. Mr. Campbell remained in that position until 1978. During his years as a traveling secretary, the Reds were enjoying the 'Big Red Machine' years with players like Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, Joe Morgan and many others. In 1978, Paul retired from the that position and returned to scouting for the Reds in Tennessee. Paul remained in that position until 1993.

Mr. Campbell's professional baseball career lasted 57 continuous years. Think of the people he had the opportunity to play with and against. He played with Ted Williams, Joe DeMaggio, Johnnie Pesky, Pete Fox, Bobby Doerr, Rudy York and countless others. He played against Lou Gehrig and saw Babe Ruth play. Paul lived an incredible life of baseball.

Paul married Mary Ellen Shannon on November 16, 1940 in Charlotte. Following her death in 1961, he married Lillian McCord Taylor in Charlotte. Lillian Campbell passed away in 1977. Survivors include a daughter, Marilyn Campbell Sherman and husband, Edward Sherman of Cincinnati, Ohio, step-daughter, DeVera Goodson and husband, Michael Goodson of Cornelius, step-son, Vincent Taylor and wife, Lynn Taylor of Charlotte, three grandsons, Paul Goodson and wife, Laura, Ben V. Taylor, Jr. and wife, Kymra,and Michael Taylor, step-great-grandchildren, Joel and Ashton Taylor.

In lieu of flowers, make donations to Hospice at Charlotte, 1420 E. 7th St., Charlotte, NC 28204 or the Alzheimers Foundation, 3420 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215. Arrangements by McEwen Charlotte Chapel.