LITTLE ROCK — Craig Dobbs Campbell Sr., who served as Arkansas Game and Fish Commissioner from 2006 to 2011, died Nov. 9. He was 76 years old.
Campbell was born April 4, 1948, in Helena. He graduated from Helena Central High School in 1966 and moved to Little Rock to attend Little Rock University (now the University of Arkansas at Little Rock) where he graduated in 1971. He served as the executive director of the Arkansas Democratic Party, worked for President Jimmy Carter’s campaign, and remained active in politics until his death.
Campbell’s term as a commissioner was a time of great change in the AGFC. Appointed by then-Gov. Mike Huckabee, Campbell stepped in to fill the remaining term of John Benjamin of Glenwood, who had resigned.
Campbell’s term as chairman from 2010-11 was highlighted with the creation of the committee system to revamp the way the Commission functioned. Modeled after the way the Arkansas General Assembly operates, Commission business was broken down into seven committees with different commissioners chairing each committee.
Campbell also piloted the Commission during a difficult time when Gov. Mike Beebe ordered changes in state-owned vehicle use by many agencies under his wing. Through Campbell’s diligence and staff evaluations, the AGFC fleet was reduced significantly.
Vehicles weren’t the only superfluous items Campbell trimmed down during his term. The AGFC Codebook also saw a reduction in language and outdated regulations, dropping its page count by a whopping 90 pages.
“We had regulations in there that had never, not once, been used by our officers,” Campbell said at his last meeting as AGFC chairman.
Campbell also led the committee to search for a new director after Scott Henderson, who had served that role for seven years, stepped down to become assistant director in preparation for retirement. Although the search committee looked nationwide, they ultimately decided upon local talent, with Deputy Director Loren Hitchcock stepping into the role. Hitchcock, who died earlier this year, would later return the honor when the Commission bestowed the largest lake ever created by a state conservation agency with his name.
On the last day of his chairmanship, Campbell was honored with the modification of Lake Conway’s name to be officially changed to Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir for his years of service and lasting commitment to the natural resources of Arkansas. Former Commission Chairman George Dunklin addressed a crowd of Campbell’s family, friends and fellow conservationists with the AGFC at an official dedication ceremony Nov. 17 of that year.
“Naming this lake after Craig is certainly fitting for all the work he’s done,” Dunklin said.
Campbell appreciated the gesture, but said the true heroes of Lake Conway were men who came long before his time at the Commission. He praised local dentist James Flanagin and Walter Dunaway, who later became Conway mayor, for leading the charge in the 1940s. Campbell paid for a plaque set in rock near the dam to honor those who pushed for the lake.
“As I told a newspaper reporter, this lake has been, is today and always will be Lake Conway,” Campbell said.
Campbell was not the first AGFC commissioner in his family tree. His grandfather John Campbell was a commissioner from 1948 until his death in 1954. It was his grandfather’s service and father’s love of the outdoors that drove Craig to create the AGFC’s annual Campbell Awards in 2008, which reward up to three AGFC employees for their contributions to conservation not only within the AGFC, but also in their communities.
“Craig Campbell made an indelible mark on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. From efforts to recognize our top employees through the Campbell Award to leading bold changes in regulations reduction, Craig’s influence on the Commission will be felt for generations to come. His dedication and commitment to the Arkansas outdoors were evident in his life, both public and private,” ,” AGFC Director Austin Booth said. “Our prayers are with Elizabeth and the entire Campbell family during this difficult time.”
Campbell is survived by his wife of 42 years, Elizabeth Stephens Campbell; children Elizabeth “Bess” Chisum Campbell, Susan Stephens Campbell (Joshua Gaines) and Craig Dobbs Campbell Jr. (Kathryn); brother John Calvin “Smokey” Campbell III (Kathleen) and sister Kathryn “Katie” Knox Campbell; beloved grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and countless friends across the country.
