In 1957, the solicitor and RAAF veteran Douglas Charles Campbell became, at just 30 years old, the city's youngest mayor to that date.

Son, Stephen Campbell, told the Leader Mr Campbell passed away at 95 on Saturday July 10, in Tamara Private Hospital.

Mr Campbell said his dad was a man of extraordinarily strong morals and equally incredible modesty.

"The one thing that that he would be most proud of would be his family," he said.

"In terms of all the things he did in the community, it was never done for any recognition and a lot of it was done under the radar. I'm even finding out about things he did that I really wasn't aware of. He was never doing it to seek the limelight, or fame, or a gong in the Australian honours, or anything like that."

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Mr Campbell was first elected to council in 1953 and served as mayor during a period of enormous growth for Tamworth. During his tenure on council Tamworth's new airport, the Dungowan Dam and the city's first TV station were all opened. It was also during his term that South Tamworth was amalgamated into the city.

But the most exciting event of all during Mayor Campbell's term was the visit of Princess Alexandra, on 12 September, 1959.

Thousands of Tamworth residents reportedly lined the city streets to catch a glimpse of the Princess.

Stephen Campbell remembers being very proud to see his mum and dad ride by in the royal Rolls Royce.

Mum Margaret Campbell still lives in Tamworth.

"He and my mother were the perfect match. He was the ying to her yang, he was the tortoise to her hare. She was a very bubbly, vivacious, very energetic, whereas dad was almost like the strong, silent type, I suppose. He was the stable rock," Stephen said.

In later life, Douglas was a patron of the Tamworth Rugby Club, a Lifeline counsellor, president of the chamber of commerce, warden of the local parish and a mentor for future mayors, among many other achievements. He was proudest of all of his greatest legacy, his six children, Stephen, Prue, Rod, Fiona, James, Phillipa.

Tamworth Region Mayor Col Murray said Mr Campbell was a "key figure in Tamworth's history" who made a lasting contribution to the community through "a number of significant achievements".

"While he has been our youngest mayor - elected at age 30 - he saw through some major projects and activities including the completion of Dungowan Dam and the creation of the Festival of Light," he said.

Mr Campbell will be laid to rest in a small funeral in Tamworth next Friday. The family hopes to hold a larger ceremony once coronavirus restrictions lift.

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