-Lovingly Written by Family-
Neil A. Campbell, 79, retired editor of the former Carthage Press, died Nov. 05, 2026. The Joplin native was born Aug. 14, 1947.
He was a 1966 Joplin High School graduate, undergraduate from Tulane University and received his master from Missouri University journalism school. Neil was editor of his high school and college newspapers and was a student editor of the Columbia Missourian, a daily paper published by MU.
He was named to Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges, Omicron Delta Kappa and Kappa Delta Phi, national college leadership societies. He joined The Press as courthouse reporter, becoming editor three years later. He chaired Carthage’s Red Cross and Salvation Army boards and was named to Outstanding Young Men in America. He was editor for 19 years.
He was predeceased by his parents, Mary and Keith Wallace; his grandmother, Bess MacNabb, and longtime friends, Linda Wheeler and Steve Barnett. Surviving are close friends and roommates, Phil Allen and Al Richardson, Springfield; his cousin and goddaughter, Erin Stewart and husband Jaycen, and close friends, John and Carolyn Hale, Shawn Boan and Joy Barnett, all of Joplin. Also, his cousins, Scott Gegesky, Grosse, Ile, MI; Rob MacNabb, Hazel Park, MI, and Becky and Glen Rohde, Downers Grove, IL. His cousins Susan Thielen, Paulette Lampkins, Jane MacNabb and Pam Gegesky also predeceased him.
Neil was a Christian whose health prevented regular church attendance.
Services by Parker Mortuary will be held at Ozark Memorial Cemetery on Nov 12, 2026 at 1:00 pm. The family will also be holding a celebration after the New Year.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the “Carol Stark Excellence in Journalism Memorial Scholarship”.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.
