Garrett McPherson Campbell

Garrett McPherson Campbell (43) passed away unexpectedly at home on February 19, 2026. Garrett was born to Charles E. Campbell and Ann Grovenstein Campbell on August 30, 1982.

Garrett was born almost three months prematurely at Piedmont Hospital, weighing approximately two pounds.  He then spent the next three months in ICU, two of which were on a respirator, in the neonatal unit at Scottish Rite Children's Hospital, where he struggled to survive. Garrett suffered from many physical and developmental challenges, which he and his parents bravely battled throughout the years.  Over the course of his life, he was treated at the National Institutes of Health, Johns Hopkins University, Cleveland Clinic, and Emory University.

When Garrett reached early childhood and the depth of his challenges became apparent, his parents together resolved that they would not permit Garrett's life to be exclusively defined by his disabilities and limitations, which included severely limited vision rendering him legally blind. With a mother's faith and unconditional love, his mother Ann began to focus not only on those limitations, but also on what she saw as his potential.

In the years that followed, Ann was not only Garrett's super-mom and teacher, but also a fierce advocate for his mainstream education.  After attending elementary school at Howard School, he attended and graduated the Northside High School for the Performing Arts (a city of Atlanta public magnet school for the arts).  He then attended the Horizon School in Birmingham, which was geared towards preparing young adults with special needs who needed help learning to live independently. After completing the Horizon program, Garrett remained in Birmingham for several years before moving back to Atlanta.

As the son and grandson of accomplished harpists, Garrett developed an early love of music.  At Northside High School he participated in chorus and theatre where he was afforded the opportunity to travel to New York with the chorus and the privilege of meeting world famous musicians who visited the school, including Yo Yo Ma. After high school his passion for classical music continued and matured. Travels with his parents generally included attending concerts, and one of the highlights of those travels was his meeting and long conversation with Sir Neville Marriner, the founder and director of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields chamber music orchestra.  Any conversation with Garrett eventually turned to music, and his knowledge of and passion for classical music, opera, composers, musicians, and conductors quickly became apparent.  his love of music was extensive and varied, and even included the folk music performed by Garrison Keiler and other musicians on the NPR program Prairie Home Companion.  A highlight for Garrett and his dad was front row seats at a recording of the program in St. Paul, Minnesota.  Charles and Ann also fostered Garrett's love of film and Broadway theatre including trips to New York where they attended plays on Broadway and musical programs at Lincoln Center.

Despite his challenges, Garrett lived a full life, and as a his dearest friend observed, "he was a complex and multifaceted person, teaching us patience, empathy, care and understanding . . . And when he left us, he also taught something important: our journey in this world is brief and we need to be aware of every sign of God's blessings in our lives, for us not to miss what is really important in life."

Garrett was preceded in death by his mother, Ann Grovenstein Campbell in 2024; and his is survived by his father Charles E. Campbell.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday, March 3, at Hutcheson's Memorial Chapel, 71 Park Heights St, Buchanan, GA 30113.  Visitation will begin at 1:30, followed by the service at 2:00 P.M. Garrett then will be laid to rest beside his mother at Bremen City Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ann Grovenstein Campbell and Ruth Allen Grovenstein Harp Fund at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 1280 Peachtree St, Atlanta, GA 30309.