DONALD LOUIS HAMPTON
Aug. 30, 1935–Oct. 19, 2024
It is with profound sadness that the family of Donald L. Hampton announces his passing on the Oct. 19, 2024, at the age of 89 years. Don died following a brief illness in Tucson, Arizona.
Don was the oldest of five children, and he was born Aug. 30, 1935, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Wilma (Millage) and Harold Hampton.
Immediately following graduation from Central High, Don traveled to San Antonio, Texas, for his basic training with the Air National Guard. Upon his return, he married his high school sweetheart, Martha (Riley), and soon after, moved to Newcastle, Wyoming. They enjoyed 67 ½ years together, prior to her passing in 2021.
Don originally came to Wyoming, following his father-in-law Lyle Riley, and worked as a ditch digger for Voss Oil in Newcastle. He quickly advanced to managing the tool cage, then doing payroll and calculating share distributions for the oil well royalties. Just after his 21st birthday, he was elected to the position of Weston County treasurer and served until 1964, when he was recruited into the banking industry and moved his family to Upton, Wyoming.
From his position in the bank, he was very active with the community of Upton, Weston County and the surrounding ranches. He served as mayor for four years and was most proud of getting the curb, gutter and street paving completed. He was a founding member of the golf course, active in the Commercial Club, the Weston County Airport Board, Weston County Development Board, State Water Development Board and the local lodge. During his tenure at the bank, he completed his degree in banking from the University of Colorado. Don stayed with Union State Bank for 32 years before retiring for the first time. He subsequently joined Lincoln National Life and worked in the insurance business for a few more years, before again retiring and becoming a full-time snowbird.
Don loved flying and was certified for multi-engine and instrument flight. His flying days actually started on the day his son was born — going directly from the hospital to solo at Mondell Field. He also loved his old cars, buying and selling some true classics over the years.
Second only to his family, Don had a love for the Army and served for 22 years with the Wyoming Army National Guard, before retiring as a captain. During this time he was commander of the Newcastle, Gillette and Casper units. Since 22 years was not enough, he later spent another 20-plus years working and traveling with the National Guard Employer Support Group.
His third love was just that, travelling. He prided himself on having visited all 50 states, and he and Martha enjoyed many cruises and saw numerous foreign countries. Ultimately, their travels led them to Green Valley, Arizona, where they lived as snowbirds between there and Upton for the last 27 years. He never knew a stranger and developed many close friendships with fellow snowbirds from around the country.
Don was so proud of the years he enjoyed with Martha and their immediate family, Julie Kershner of San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, and Steve (Christi) Hampton of Upton; grandchildren, Chad Kershner of San Jose del Cabo, Candice (David) Watt of Upton, Riley (LaShel) Hampton of Newcastle, and Melissa Hampton of Spearfish, South Dakota; and eight
great-grandchildren, Olivia, Kendall and Greyson; Keaton, Fletcher and Tripp; and Hudsynn and Kellan.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha; parents, Wilma and Harold; sister, Beverly Crowder; brother-in-law, Richard Fitzgerald; and many close friends.
He is survived by his immediate family; sister, Phyllis Fitzgerald of Lowden, Iowa; brothers, Ronald (Carole) Hampton of Lake Havasu, Arizona, and Harold “Butch” (Carolyn) Hampton of Las Vegas, Nevada; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
A celebration of life and private graveside service will be held at a later date.
Memories and condolences can be shared at evergreenmortuary-cemetery.com/obituaries/Donald-Hampton-12/#!/TributeWall.