SOUTHAVEN – Deacon Lawrence (Larry) Campbell, 71, went to the Lord on Thursday, March 20, at Baptist DeSoto Hospital.

Deacon Campbell, a native of South Bend, Ind., and graduate of Christian Brothers University, was a retired permanent deacon in the Diocese of Jackson, having been ordained on June 9, 1979. He spent many years in youth and parish ministry at Southaven Christ the King as well as in youth ministry for the diocese.

Among other things, Deacon Campbell coordinated and led 17 youth missionary trips to Saltillo, Mexico. These trips helped form the lives of a generation of Catholic youth in Mississippi.

He took three bus loads of students from the diocese to the 1993 World Youth Day gathering in Denver, Colo. In addition, he organized trips for students to see Pope John Paul II in New Orleans and in St. Louis.

Deacon Campbell was involved in his community through ministry to the inmates at the jail in Hernando. As a Knight of Columbus, worked with the knights in their Tootsie Roll drives for many years to raise money for the intellectually disabled of DeSoto County. He also played Santa Claus at some of the DeSoto Industries Christmas parties. His service included the food pantry at Sacred Heart Southern Mission in Walls and the Samaritans in Horn Lake.

Deacon Campbell leaves his wife, Margaret (Noe) Campbell, two sons, Bryan and Christopher Campbell, and one daughter, Michele Stephens. He also leaves nine grandchildren, a sister, Patricia Lott, and a niece and nephew.

Services were held at Christ the King with visitation on Sunday evening, March 23, and a funeral Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph Kopacz on Monday, March 24. Interment was at Forest Hill South Cemetery following the Mass.

The family requests that any donations in his honor be made to Christ the King Building Fund or to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Jackson.