September 05, 1956 - April 11, 2021
Todd J. Campbell, former Chief Judge of the United States District Court for Middle Tennessee and former Counsel to Vice President Al Gore, died April 11, 2021. He was 64.
He was born on September 5, 1956, in Rockford, Illinois, to Evedene Loewe Campbell and Floyd Edgar Campbell, both of whom preceded him in death. At a very young age, he moved with his family to Nashville and was raised in the Donelson area, where he played youth baseball and developed a life-long love of the game.
He was a proud graduate of McGavock High School. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Vanderbilt University. He graduated from the University of Tennessee Law School and began his law career in 1982 in Nashville with Gullett, Sanford, Robinson and Martin. There he developed an expertise in federal election law and his first election law client was Al Gore.
While serving as Senator Gore's legal advisor during the 1988 presidential campaign, Todd met and married his wife, Margaret Akers, who survives. He and Margaret enjoyed 33 years together and raised two wonderful sons, Seth (Providence RI) and Holt (Uniontown, AL). Todd's family brought the most joy to his life and he considered being a father his greatest accomplishment.
Following the election of President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore in 1992, Todd became Counsel to the Vice President and he and his young family moved to Washington, D.C., to join the new administration. After two years and a second baby boy, Todd and Margaret decided to return to Nashville to raise their family.
In 1995, President Clinton nominated Todd to succeed retiring District Judge Thomas Wiseman and the Senate confirmed him as the youngest federal judge in the nation.
Judge Campbell was widely admired for being a completely impartial and an unfailingly courteous jurist. He presided over more than 10,000 cases and 200 trials, every one of which he considered to be as important as did those who came before him. He was highly respected by the bar for his towering intellect, his quick wit, and his even-keeled demeanor.
Judge Campbell was known to render decisions wisely, promptly, and succinctly. Of judicial options, he was fond of saying, "Think more; write less."
Less known to the general public was the kindness that judge Campbell displayed in his work. He was beloved by his long-time staff and made it a point to get to know everyone in the courthouse. As Chief Judge, he proved himself to be an able administrator, guiding the court through many challenges and playing a key role in the creation of the new Fred D. Thompson Courthouse and Federal Building.
In addition, Judge Campbell also loved being an adjunct law professor at the University of Tennessee where a scholarship program has been named for him to help economically disadvantaged law students. He also taught at the Nashville School of Law and at Belmont University.
Judge Campbell's favorite task as a federal judge was to swear in new citizens. He performed more than 100 naturalization ceremonies, often in historic sites such as the Hermitage, during which he welcomed thousands of new Americans. A great storyteller himself, he wove into each ceremony the tale of his ancestor who arrived in this country in 1881 as an impoverished German orphan but who made a good life for himself and his family in this country.
Throughout his illness with Multiple System Atrophy, he maintained a brilliant mind and quirky sense of humor.
In addition to his wife and sons, he is also survived by his sister, Colleen Campbell Taylor (Jonas), and several nieces and nephews.
A life-long Lutheran, a small private burial is planned at Larkspur Conservation at Taylor Hollow. Plans for a larger Celebration of Life will take place later.
Crawford Mortuary & Crematory
Todd J. Campbell, former Chief Judge of the United States District Court for Middle Tennessee and former Counsel to Vice President Al Gore, died April 11, 2021. He was 64.
He was born on September 5, 1956, in Rockford, Illinois, to Evedene Loewe Campbell and Floyd Edgar Campbell, both of whom preceded him in death. At a very young age, he moved with his family to Nashville and was raised in the Donelson area, where he played youth baseball and developed a life-long love of the game.
He was a proud graduate of McGavock High School. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Vanderbilt University. He graduated from the University of Tennessee Law School and began his law career in 1982 in Nashville with Gullett, Sanford, Robinson and Martin. There he developed an expertise in federal election law and his first election law client was Al Gore.
While serving as Senator Gore's legal advisor during the 1988 presidential campaign, Todd met and married his wife, Margaret Akers, who survives. He and Margaret enjoyed 33 years together and raised two wonderful sons, Seth (Providence RI) and Holt (Uniontown, AL). Todd's family brought the most joy to his life and he considered being a father his greatest accomplishment.
Following the election of President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore in 1992, Todd became Counsel to the Vice President and he and his young family moved to Washington, D.C., to join the new administration. After two years and a second baby boy, Todd and Margaret decided to return to Nashville to raise their family.
In 1995, President Clinton nominated Todd to succeed retiring District Judge Thomas Wiseman and the Senate confirmed him as the youngest federal judge in the nation.
Judge Campbell was widely admired for being a completely impartial and an unfailingly courteous jurist. He presided over more than 10,000 cases and 200 trials, every one of which he considered to be as important as did those who came before him. He was highly respected by the bar for his towering intellect, his quick wit, and his even-keeled demeanor.
Judge Campbell was known to render decisions wisely, promptly, and succinctly. Of judicial options, he was fond of saying, "Think more; write less."
Less known to the general public was the kindness that judge Campbell displayed in his work. He was beloved by his long-time staff and made it a point to get to know everyone in the courthouse. As Chief Judge, he proved himself to be an able administrator, guiding the court through many challenges and playing a key role in the creation of the new Fred D. Thompson Courthouse and Federal Building.
In addition, Judge Campbell also loved being an adjunct law professor at the University of Tennessee where a scholarship program has been named for him to help economically disadvantaged law students. He also taught at the Nashville School of Law and at Belmont University.
Judge Campbell's favorite task as a federal judge was to swear in new citizens. He performed more than 100 naturalization ceremonies, often in historic sites such as the Hermitage, during which he welcomed thousands of new Americans. A great storyteller himself, he wove into each ceremony the tale of his ancestor who arrived in this country in 1881 as an impoverished German orphan but who made a good life for himself and his family in this country.
Throughout his illness with Multiple System Atrophy, he maintained a brilliant mind and quirky sense of humor.
In addition to his wife and sons, he is also survived by his sister, Colleen Campbell Taylor (Jonas), and several nieces and nephews.
A life-long Lutheran, a small private burial is planned at Larkspur Conservation at Taylor Hollow. Plans for a larger Celebration of Life will take place later.
Crawford Mortuary & Crematory
September 05, 1956 - April 11, 2021
Todd J. Campbell, former Chief Judge of the United States District Court for Middle Tennessee and former Counsel to Vice President Al Gore, died April 11, 2021. He was 64.
He was born on September 5, 1956, in Rockford, Illinois, to Evedene Loewe Campbell and Floyd Edgar Campbell, both of whom preceded him in death. At a very young age, he moved with his family to Nashville and was raised in the Donelson area, where he played youth baseball and developed a life-long love of the game.
He was a proud graduate of McGavock High School. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Vanderbilt University. He graduated from the University of Tennessee Law School and began his law career in 1982 in Nashville with Gullett, Sanford, Robinson and Martin. There he developed an expertise in federal election law and his first election law client was Al Gore.
While serving as Senator Gore's legal advisor during the 1988 presidential campaign, Todd met and married his wife, Margaret Akers, who survives. He and Margaret enjoyed 33 years together and raised two wonderful sons, Seth (Providence RI) and Holt (Uniontown, AL). Todd's family brought the most joy to his life and he considered being a father his greatest accomplishment.
Following the election of President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore in 1992, Todd became Counsel to the Vice President and he and his young family moved to Washington, D.C., to join the new administration. After two years and a second baby boy, Todd and Margaret decided to return to Nashville to raise their family.
In 1995, President Clinton nominated Todd to succeed retiring District Judge Thomas Wiseman and the Senate confirmed him as the youngest federal judge in the nation.
Judge Campbell was widely admired for being a completely impartial and an unfailingly courteous jurist. He presided over more than 10,000 cases and 200 trials, every one of which he considered to be as important as did those who came before him. He was highly respected by the bar for his towering intellect, his quick wit, and his even-keeled demeanor.
Judge Campbell was known to render decisions wisely, promptly, and succinctly. Of judicial options, he was fond of saying, "Think more; write less."
Less known to the general public was the kindness that judge Campbell displayed in his work. He was beloved by his long-time staff and made it a point to get to know everyone in the courthouse. As Chief Judge, he proved himself to be an able administrator, guiding the court through many challenges and playing a key role in the creation of the new Fred D. Thompson Courthouse and Federal Building.
In addition, Judge Campbell also loved being an adjunct law professor at the University of Tennessee where a scholarship program has been named for him to help economically disadvantaged law students. He also taught at the Nashville School of Law and at Belmont University.
Judge Campbell's favorite task as a federal judge was to swear in new citizens. He performed more than 100 naturalization ceremonies, often in historic sites such as the Hermitage, during which he welcomed thousands of new Americans. A great storyteller himself, he wove into each ceremony the tale of his ancestor who arrived in this country in 1881 as an impoverished German orphan but who made a good life for himself and his family in this country.
Throughout his illness with Multiple System Atrophy, he maintained a brilliant mind and quirky sense of humor.
In addition to his wife and sons, he is also survived by his sister, Colleen Campbell Taylor (Jonas), and several nieces and nephews.
A life-long Lutheran, a small private burial is planned at Larkspur Conservation at Taylor Hollow. Plans for a larger Celebration of Life will take place later.
Crawford Mortuary & Crematory
Todd J. Campbell, former Chief Judge of the United States District Court for Middle Tennessee and former Counsel to Vice President Al Gore, died April 11, 2021. He was 64.
He was born on September 5, 1956, in Rockford, Illinois, to Evedene Loewe Campbell and Floyd Edgar Campbell, both of whom preceded him in death. At a very young age, he moved with his family to Nashville and was raised in the Donelson area, where he played youth baseball and developed a life-long love of the game.
He was a proud graduate of McGavock High School. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Vanderbilt University. He graduated from the University of Tennessee Law School and began his law career in 1982 in Nashville with Gullett, Sanford, Robinson and Martin. There he developed an expertise in federal election law and his first election law client was Al Gore.
While serving as Senator Gore's legal advisor during the 1988 presidential campaign, Todd met and married his wife, Margaret Akers, who survives. He and Margaret enjoyed 33 years together and raised two wonderful sons, Seth (Providence RI) and Holt (Uniontown, AL). Todd's family brought the most joy to his life and he considered being a father his greatest accomplishment.
Following the election of President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore in 1992, Todd became Counsel to the Vice President and he and his young family moved to Washington, D.C., to join the new administration. After two years and a second baby boy, Todd and Margaret decided to return to Nashville to raise their family.
In 1995, President Clinton nominated Todd to succeed retiring District Judge Thomas Wiseman and the Senate confirmed him as the youngest federal judge in the nation.
Judge Campbell was widely admired for being a completely impartial and an unfailingly courteous jurist. He presided over more than 10,000 cases and 200 trials, every one of which he considered to be as important as did those who came before him. He was highly respected by the bar for his towering intellect, his quick wit, and his even-keeled demeanor.
Judge Campbell was known to render decisions wisely, promptly, and succinctly. Of judicial options, he was fond of saying, "Think more; write less."
Less known to the general public was the kindness that judge Campbell displayed in his work. He was beloved by his long-time staff and made it a point to get to know everyone in the courthouse. As Chief Judge, he proved himself to be an able administrator, guiding the court through many challenges and playing a key role in the creation of the new Fred D. Thompson Courthouse and Federal Building.
In addition, Judge Campbell also loved being an adjunct law professor at the University of Tennessee where a scholarship program has been named for him to help economically disadvantaged law students. He also taught at the Nashville School of Law and at Belmont University.
Judge Campbell's favorite task as a federal judge was to swear in new citizens. He performed more than 100 naturalization ceremonies, often in historic sites such as the Hermitage, during which he welcomed thousands of new Americans. A great storyteller himself, he wove into each ceremony the tale of his ancestor who arrived in this country in 1881 as an impoverished German orphan but who made a good life for himself and his family in this country.
Throughout his illness with Multiple System Atrophy, he maintained a brilliant mind and quirky sense of humor.
In addition to his wife and sons, he is also survived by his sister, Colleen Campbell Taylor (Jonas), and several nieces and nephews.
A life-long Lutheran, a small private burial is planned at Larkspur Conservation at Taylor Hollow. Plans for a larger Celebration of Life will take place later.
Crawford Mortuary & Crematory
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