Martin Campbell Tinkham, age 87, went to be with his Heavenly Father on February 28, 2026 at Lake Prince Woods in Suffolk, VA 23434. He was born on Tinkham Road in Eure, NC on December 20, 1938. He was the son of the late Martin Cleveland and Frances Darden Tinkham. In 1947 his father bought a farm and moved to Manning Road here in Suffolk. He loved driving the tractor and working in the field with his father, doing whatever needed to be done. He started driving the tractor standing between his father's legs at the age of five.

Campbell attended Bethlehem Elementary School with just two teachers, each responsible for three grades. He graduated from the former Holland High School in 1956 (and even drove a school bus during his senior year). That fall, he started working for the U.S.D.A as a peanut inspector and later became a licensed inspector for all fruits and vegetables. He was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1962 and served at Fort Campbell, KY. as a company operations clerk and mailman. After his army tour, he went back with the inspection service. In 1966, he gave up traveling and started his own business – M. Campbell Tinkham, Building Contractor. During his career, he built over 90 homes, many garages and add-on sunrooms, and the Robin Lane swimming pool. He loved drawing sketches of a house plan and then building the family their dream house. He retired as a state licensed builder, electrician, plumber, and mechanical contractor. He was the owner/operator of Forest Glen Water Co. He and his brother, Ralph, developed two subdivisions called Cove Point and Forest Glen Terrace II off Holland Road.

Campbell was a charter member of Hillcrest Baptist Church. He was a Trustee and active member of the Lee Jackson Class. He has served as a Deacon, was on the Building and Grounds Committee for several years, and was a member on the Happy Active Christian Group. He built the church parsonage, sanctuary, classrooms and remodeled several projects in the church. He was a volunteer for Suffolk Meals on Wheels for 20 years.

Campbell was predeceased by his beloved wife of 56 years, Patricia "Pat" Anderson Tinkham, formerly of Clinton, Iowa. He had two daughters and sons-in-law: Robin and the late Mark Harris, of Mascot, VA and Lisa and husband, Mark Clements; two sons and daughters-in-laws: Christopher and wife, Sheila and David and wife, Dawn of Windsor, VA. He had five grandchildren, Taylor (Ethan), Austin, Christina, Jason, and Tyler and one great-grandson, Ryker. He had a brother and sister-in-law, Ralph Tinkham and wife, Carol; a brother-in-law Raymond Anderson and wife, Sylvia of Williamsburg, VA; a sister-in-law, Connie Yilmaz and husband, Koray of Treasure Island, FL; four nieces and three nephews. The family wishes to extend a heartfelt appreciation and Thank You to the wonderful staff of Lake Prince Woods for their loving caregiving and support.

A funeral service will be conducted on Friday, March 6, 2026 at 11 a.m. at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 1637 Holland Road, Suffolk, VA 23434 with Pastor Ricky Garza officiating.  Entombment will follow at Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens Chapel Mausoleum.   Following the service at the cemetery a reception will be held in the church fellowship hall.  The family will receive friends at 10 a.m., one hour prior to the service at the church for visitation. Parr Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hillcrest Baptist Church Building Fund. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.