When people retire, they usually want to move to some place that has nice weather, fun activities and friendly people. For Henry Campeux and his wife, Sue, Jacksonville was exactly that kind of place.

“Since Sue and I have been here in Jacksonville, we have met so many nice people,” said Campeux. “The biggest thing for us is how everyone accepted us. We have only been here three and a half years, but they made us really feel like home here.”

Born in 1939, Campeux was raised around New Orleans. He worked for a petrol chemical agency for 32 years. After that, he spent 5 years with Humble Oil (now Exxon) and 27 years Union Carbide Chemicals. Every two years, Campeux would take his family to Disney World in Florida.

“Every time we come home my wife would say ‘Henry, why don’t you quit your job and go to work at Disney?’ said Campeux. “Sure enough about a year and a half after I retired, we sold our three bedroom, two bathroom house and moved to Orlando.”

Campeux said he loved working for Disney because of the interaction with people, something he never got in previous jobs. During his 12 years at Disney World, Campeux wore many hats; from a captain of a boat to a 1700’s American re-enactor. Campeux loved playing roles and said he loved putting on a show.

During the last six years of their stint at Disney, the couple sold their home and lived in a motor home. Working during winter and traveling and visiting family the rest of the year, the duo was happy.

Henry and Sue left Disney after six years to head to Jacksonville to take care of Sue’s parents who were ill. Henry parked the motor home next to the house. About a year later, both of Sue’s parents passed away.

Able to go anywhere they wanted, Campeux said Jacksonville had everything they needed. The couple decided to stay and continue their retirement in the city.

“We love it. Retirement has been the best thing that has happened to me. We enjoy the time we have spent in Jacksonville,” said Campeux. “We feel like we are blessed to live here.

“We have so many opportunities for exercising. We have the trail and the community center, golf courses all over the place.

“I would never had thought I would be settling in northeast Alabama.”

Just because you are retired, it does not have to mean there is nothing to do. Campeux wears just as many hats now, as he did at Disney. He told Jacksonville Kiwanians just a little about what he and his wife have been up to since settling in Jacksonville.

Campeux said that he loves the city’s community center.

“The programs we have over there are just fantastic. There is something to do everyday. If you are board, that’s your problem,” laughed Campeux.

Campeux said that most of the center’s members are preparing for the District Master Games, a senior sports competition, that the city will host on August 24.

Campeux spends his Fridays playing music for local assisted living residents.

“I have been playing guitar now for almost 30 years and I have had more fun in the last year of so doing this that I ever had,” said Campeux.

A member of the First Baptist Church, Campeux helps with the Celebrate Recovery ministry.

“Celebrate Recovery is a 12-step program for people who have hurts, hang-ups and habits that they are trying to get rid of. It is based off the same principals that Alcohol Anonymous is based on. The only difference is we take those 12-steps and apply bible verses to them,” said Campeux.

Henry also helps with the city by serving on committees such as the newly formed Bicycle Committee. He said he enjoys working to help improve an already great city.

“I am so blown away with Jacksonville. Sue and I just wake up thankful everyday to live in a place like Jacksonville,” said Campeux.