Joel Campora

Joel Lee Campora of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Friday, May 31, 2013 in Y-City, Arkansas. Joel was born July 23, 1980 to George Campora and Lyla Jean (Bryant) Campora in Bend, Oregon. Joel was 32 years, 10 months and 10 days old. As a child, Joel attended Mena Public Schools in Mena, Arkansas. He graduated from Mena High School and then attended Rich Mountain Community College. He later attended Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He began his law enforcement career as a reserve for the Mena Police Department. He entered full time law enforcement with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department as a county deputy and attended ALETA, (Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy.) His dream career with the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission as a Wildlife Officer 1st Class began five years ago. Joel was a member of AGFC Dive Team and the Disaster Response Team. He also was a Defensive Tactics Instructor, and Defensive Driving Instructor. Joel was an active member of the Poteau Mountain NWTF, serving as President. He was very active member of AWOA (Arkansas Wildlife Officers Association) he was currently serving as treasurer. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, a previous Mena Optimist Club President, and S.C.H.E.C. prevention person of the year. Anyone that knew Joel knew his love of his family and serving God. There was no mistaking his faith, his belief of God and how he loved to share it. He was a member of Waldron First Baptist Church where he was a youth leader and a Deacon. Joel served as youth director at Pencil Bluff Baptist Church and Salem Baptist Church. Joel had a passion for helping people and especially enjoyed children and young people. Joel leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife Rebecca and two young daughters, Dacie Jayden and Bethany Faith. Joel will be missed by his father George Campora of Clinton, AR and mother Lyla Campora of Clinton, Arkansas, one sister, Shiela Farmer of Clinton, Arkansas and Grandmother Emily Campora of Lebanon, Oregon. Uncle Joel will also be missed by three nephews: Drew Farmer, Travis Farmer, and Nathan Farmer and one niece Natalie Farmer all of Clinton, Arkansas. Joel will be missed by all that knew him and the many whose lives were impacted by him including a host of friends and loved ones who loved him dearly. Joel is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Carl Bryant and Alma Allie Bryant and paternal grandfather, George Campora. Joel's life celebration will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 7, 2013 at the Waldron High School Sports Complex in Waldron, Arkansas with Dr. Ken Overturf, Dr. David Birdsong, and Matt Bell officiating. Arrangements and cremation are being entrusted to Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory in Waldron, Arkansas. Joel's pallbearers will be Arkansas Game and Fish Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be AFGC Officers, Jeremy Miller and Joe Bowling. Joel's visitation will be Thursday, June 6, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas. Family will receive visitors from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Memorial funds have been established at First National Bank, Community National Bank and Chambers Bank.