Edgar Ray Campbell

Edgar "Ray" Campbell, 87, passed away on Thursday, April 22, 2021. He was born in Gaston County, son of the late Edgar Doil Campbell and Alda Helderman Campbell. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his former wife, Delores Campbell; his son-in-law, Ronnie Austin; and his brother-in-law, Bill Wood. He served in the U.S. Army for 3 years, during and after part of the Korean era. He was an auto mechanic, and worked in factory maintenance. Ray was on the Mount Holly High School football team and was a Golden Gloves boxing champion leading to his induction into the Carolina's Boxing Hall of Fame and the Mount Holly Sports Hall of Fame.

He enjoyed joking with his friends, working puzzles, and bowling. Ray walked daily at the North Belmont walking track and visited the YMCA to 'work out' and drink coffee with friends. He spent lots of time working on the Boots of Rucker Committee and planning events, as well as being a part of the GCARS Ham Radio Club - KE4VP0. Ray loved to eat ice cream and always had a mint in his pocket.

Ray is survived by his daughters, Debbie Black and her husband, Chris, Alesia "Lisa" Austin, and Belinda Gantt and her husband, Derrick; his sister, Ruth Wood; his grandchildren, April Black, Jered Black (Rene'), Jonathan Manus, Broc Gantt, and Kellston Gantt; and his great-grandchildren, Ileigh, Rileigh, Jessie Rae, J.C., and Deannie.

A memorial service to celebrate Ray's life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, April 26, 2021 at the Gaston County Park at North Belmont, 3110 Hickory Grove Road, Gastonia, NC 28056. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 25, 2021 at Woodlawn Funeral Home, Mount Holly. Guests attending the memorial service are asked to bring their own camp-type chair to the park, if needed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mount Holly Sports Hall of Fame, Attn: Doug Smith,  Island Point Rd., Mount Holly, NC 28120 or by visiting https://www.fametothename.org/donate.

Condolence messages may be sent to the family by visiting https://www.woodlawnfuneral.org. Woodlawn Funeral Home of Mount Holly is caring for Ray's family.

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