Taylor ‘Tate’ Ferguson Hampton

TAYLOR 'TATE' FERGUSON HAMPTON Taylor 'Tate' Ferguson Hampton, age 19, passed away peacefully at home on September 13, 2022 after an almost 4-year battle against a rare sarcoma DSRCT (desmoplastic small round cell tumor). Born in Chico, CA to Teresa Ferguson and Hunter Hampton, Tate entered this world full of life and love. Tate was intelligent, athletic, compassionate, funny, and tall. Growing up, Tate was often the tallest kid in class, earning the nickname "200-Ft Tall Tate" from an elementary school classmate. Tate is a graduate of Pleasant Valley High School, Class of 2021. How he loved being a Viking! His freshman year, he joined the swim team and, never having swum competitively, earned a Varsity letter and made it to Sections that year. As a sophomore, he followed his heart to play football, and the same season he was diagnosed, the Varsity team won the State Championship. Tate played Chico Rebels lacrosse throughout junior high and high school, even playing in a game two days after chemotherapy. Being with teammates mattered; his treatments were not going to keep him away from the field. Growing up, so many coaches, teammates, and parents remember the seasons of his life spent playing soccer, basketball, and little league. When the 9-10 Eastside Little League All-Stars made it to the state tournament, Tate was the starting pitcher against Los Banos. Academically, Tate loved math yet could barely be cajoled into completing writing assignments. Tate attended Butte College after graduation and majored in Biological Sciences, combining his interest in math and nature. Throughout his cancer treatments, he met hundreds of amazing, supportive doctors, nurses, techs, and hospital staff who inspired him to pursue a career in medicine. Tate was a fighter and wanted to dedicate his life to helping others in their fight. Tate enjoyed anything to do with computers, building a gaming computer system from scratch with friends. This passion started early, and rumor has it that he may have received a citation in third grade at Shasta Elementary for playing on the computers when he wasn't supposed to. From Minecraft to Rainbow Six to Valorant, he excelled at gaming. During cancer, he went on to play competitively, winning tournaments and prize money. Tate didn't know it then, but he met his teenage sweetheart and bride-to-be, Nicole Hanf, in the third grade at Shasta Elementary. During cancer, she was right by his side through grueling treatments, hospital stays, and hospice, giving him hope, love, and support. Tate and Nicole were married on August 12, 2022 and celebrated their one-month anniversary before his passing. Tate was surrounded by family and friends during his last days. They took turns telling stories of his athletic talents, adventures, and most importantly, his kind heart and his impact in this world. He made people feel included, often inviting the new kid at school to his lunch group. When the family was searching for a new home, Tate's only request was a house big enough to have friends over, leading to a party where 14 of them jumped in the hot tub together. He loved his sister Hannah beyond measure, sharing his entire life and so many interests with her including Star Wars, anime, sports, and rollercoasters. Some of Tate's favorite things were: Pets - cats, dogs, and Cockatiels. Hawaii - fishing, snorkeling, and body surfing. Star Wars all the movies, Legos, Clone Wars, dressing up as a Clone Trooper for Halloween, and making his own lightsaber at Disneyland. Computer gaming an amazing online community of friends who supported him through his fight against cancer. The Bachelor/Bachelorette - watched it every Monday night with Nicole. Tate loved deeply, and if you knew him, you knew it. That is all that really matters in the end; how much love you gave away, how much love you experienced, and the love of family and friends around you. Tate and his family are forever grateful to the army of caring health professionals who delivered excellent care during his fight against cancer. This includes teams across the state and the nation, including Enloe, Stanford, UC Davis, University of North Carolina, Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC, and UC San Francisco, and at the end, Enloe Hospice and family friend Kitty. We are also grateful and deeply moved by the outpouring of love and support from friends, family, community members, and people who have become friends throughout Tate's journey. What an inspiring lot you are! Tate is survived by his parents Teresa and Dr. Patrick Doyle, parents Hunter and Dawn Hampton, and sister Hannah; his wife Nicole Hanf and her family; and a large and loving extended family. Tate is also survived by a wonderful group of life-long friends, friends' moms who are "second moms," teammates, coaches, and teachers who mourn his passing with us. Tate was preceded in death by his grandparents, Judith L. Hudnall and Charles and Sylvia Ann Doyle. A Celebration of Life for Tate will be held Saturday, November 12, 2022 at the Elks Lodge #423, 1705 Manzanita Place, Chico, with the service from 11:00 am-12:00 pm and a reception following. For more information and to RSVP for the event or to donate to a scholarship, go to https://everloved.com/life-of/tate-hampton/.