Otis Campbell, motivational speaker
RALEIGH, North Carolina [June 23, 1998]
Otis Campbell, the well known self-help guru from the 1970’s and 1980’s died at his home in Raleigh June 22. Campbell had been known to have emphysema and was believed to be in his mid-70’s.
Campbell, who captivated a generation of baby boomers disaffected with what he disdainfully called the “3C’s Society” referring to chemicals, change, and complaints with his “You can’t smell how great it is at the top until you’ve gotten rid of your own stink” lecture series, had recently retired. His publicist, Lisa Diesel, said that he died of complications of emphysema.
Admitting that he had been the “town drunk of Mayberry [North Carolina],” Campbell used illustrations from his own days of addictions and his subsequent recovery into a career as a successful ice cream distributor in his speeches. His lecture stops were noted for the distribution of his “Coming Clean” ice cream. The packaging contained inspirational messages.
Famed Metropolitan Opera singer Gomer Pyle, a friend of Campbell’s from his Mayberry days, often appeared with him on his speaking tours. He had seen Campbell as recently as Tuesday and told reporters today that Campbell’s passing was “regrettable.”
Pyle said that Campbell “could have done so much more for others if he had had more time,” but also noted that Campbell acknowledged that lack of time was one of his shortcomings, always noting that recovering addicts still bore the responsibility for the results of their bad habits and adapt to the limits they had already put on themselves.
“His message differed from some motivational speakers. He knew that he could not escape the consequences for any of the things he done earlier. He felt instead that it was more important to work for as wonderful future as one had the ability to make,” Pyle noted.
Campbell, a widower twice, is survived by a brother, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral arrangements were not immediately announced.
Otis Campbell, the well known self-help guru from the 1970’s and 1980’s died at his home in Raleigh June 22. Campbell had been known to have emphysema and was believed to be in his mid-70’s.
Campbell, who captivated a generation of baby boomers disaffected with what he disdainfully called the “3C’s Society” referring to chemicals, change, and complaints with his “You can’t smell how great it is at the top until you’ve gotten rid of your own stink” lecture series, had recently retired. His publicist, Lisa Diesel, said that he died of complications of emphysema.
Admitting that he had been the “town drunk of Mayberry [North Carolina],” Campbell used illustrations from his own days of addictions and his subsequent recovery into a career as a successful ice cream distributor in his speeches. His lecture stops were noted for the distribution of his “Coming Clean” ice cream. The packaging contained inspirational messages.
Famed Metropolitan Opera singer Gomer Pyle, a friend of Campbell’s from his Mayberry days, often appeared with him on his speaking tours. He had seen Campbell as recently as Tuesday and told reporters today that Campbell’s passing was “regrettable.”
Pyle said that Campbell “could have done so much more for others if he had had more time,” but also noted that Campbell acknowledged that lack of time was one of his shortcomings, always noting that recovering addicts still bore the responsibility for the results of their bad habits and adapt to the limits they had already put on themselves.
“His message differed from some motivational speakers. He knew that he could not escape the consequences for any of the things he done earlier. He felt instead that it was more important to work for as wonderful future as one had the ability to make,” Pyle noted.
Campbell, a widower twice, is survived by a brother, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral arrangements were not immediately announced.
