Ralph Campbell, former State Auditor and Raleigh council member, has died

Ralph Campbell has died from lung cancer and funeral arrangements are being handled by Lightner Funeral Home in Raleigh according to WRAL.com reports this morning.

From the official statement by Raleigh's Mayor Charles Meeker online:

Ralph Campbell's Service to His Hometown

Ralph Campbell Jr., who died Jan. 11 at Duke Raleigh Hospital, served his hometown as a Raleigh City Council Member from 1985 to 1992, leaving only to serve as the State Auditor.

With his election to the State Auditor position, Mr. Campbell, 64, gained the distinction of being the first black [and still the only black] elected to statewide Council of State office.

"Ralph Campbell, Jr., was a great friend to the City of Raleigh and served as our ambassador to our Sister City Compiegne," Mayor Charles Meeker said. "Ralph also worked on many public improvements including the renovation of Murphey School for senior housing. Raleigh is honored to have had Ralph be a life-long citizen and statesman. We will miss his contributions and humor greatly."

The son of the late Ralph Sr. and June Kay Campbell, Mr. Campbell served Raleigh as mayor pro tem from 1989 to 1991 under the late Mayor Avery C. Upchurch.

Mr. Campbell was born in the Saint Agnes Building on the campus of Saint Augustine's College. At the time of his birth in 1946, Saint Agnes served as Raleigh's hospital for its black residents. Mr. Campbell received his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in 1968 on the same campus of his birth. He attended St. Monica's School graduated from J.W. Ligon High School.

PR Latta of Raleigh had this to say about Ralph Campbell:

Ralph was always helpful whenever I went to him about community problems. He was very knowledgeable about many of them. He had an open mind, which "is what it takes to do good."

Campbell came from a well-known and respected Raleigh family headed by his father who was active in NAACP affairs and worked for the post office. PR knew his father, too.

Read More in a report online at www.Examiner.com/Raleigh.