Gaines Campbell

Gaines “Rabbit” Marlan Campbell of Saucier passed away on October 13, 2022 in Gulfport at the age of 73.

Gaines was born in Waynesboro, MS on March 23, 1949 to Henry and Betty Campbell.  He grew up in New Orleans, LA and Picayune, MS.  When he was 18 years old, he joined the United States Marine Corps, which he served in for nearly 4.5 years as a Ground Radio Repairman.  During this time, he did two tours in Cuba and Okinawa, Japan. He earned a Good Conduct Medal and was an expert marksman in both pistol and rifle.  He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant.

After his military service Gaines attended the University of Southern MS, where he majored in Industrial Management.  He worked at Ingalls for 7 years before accepting a position as an aerospace engineer with Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin).  Gaines was responsible for the wiring schematics for the external hydrogen tank on the Space Shuttle.  He also worked on research projects surrounding passenger space travel during his 17-year tenure.

Gaines was an avid hunter and fisherman for many years.  Later in life he found a new passion for country western dancing.  Gaines was on the Michael’s Country Club dance team which placed in the top 10 at a World Championship competition in 1999.  He was a dance instructor for several years and featured on a local TV Show called “Michael’s Dance, Dance, Dance.”

Gaines has been a member of First Baptist Church of Lyman for over 30 years.  He taught a Youth Sunday School class for many years.  As such he supplied fish for fish fry fundraisers and served as chaperone for a few Winter Conferences. He was ordained as a Deacon in 2005 and served in that capacity for 4 years.

He is preceded in death by his wife of nearly 21 years Penny Sue Campbell (Foster), his stepmother Lucille Campbell, his parents Henry and Betty Campbell, and his brother William “Billy” Campbell.

He is survived by his children Jennefier Campbell, Christopher Creel (Amanda), Angela “Faith” Campbell, and Brandy Pujol (Jeff); his siblings James “Buddy” Campbell (Lynnette), Ronald Burke, David Campbell, Sharan McGehee (Mike) and his sister-in-law, Elizabeth “Beth” Campbell; and his grandchildren: Christian, Leighton, Selena, Hannah, Starla, Danny, Elizabeth, Finnick, and Eugene Foster.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html ,or the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

Visitation will be held Friday, October 21, 2022 at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, MS from 6:00pm until 8:00pm and will resume Saturday, October 22, 2022 at First Baptist Church of Lyman, 14321 Old Highway 49, Gulfport, MS, at 11:00am until the funeral service at 12:00pm.  Burial will follow at Finley Cemetery, Gulfport, MS.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, MS, is serving the family and online condolences may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com