Thomas Darnell Hampton

Thomas Darnell Hampton, 88, of Olathe, KS, formerly from Morrilton, AR, died at home August 29, 2006. He was born March 22, 1918, in Colt, AR, the only child of the late Viola Lee Roland and Marcus Lee Hampton. He is survived by his wife, Willene Lindley Hampton of Olathe; a daughter, Carol Lindley Hampton and husband Robert Downs of Richmond, VA; a son, David Marcus Hampton and wife Brenda Sue Hampton of Olathe, KS; grandchildren Lindley Hampton Harding of New York, NY, and Lauren Marcus Hampton of Olathe, KS; and step-grand children Robert M. Downs and Matthew S. Downs of Richmond, VA, William C. Downs of Washington, D.C., and the late Craig Majors of Olathe, KS. He graduated Cherry Valley High School, Cross Co., AR in 1936, and attended Capital City Business College in Little Rock, AR. He joined the 8th Air Force of the U.S. Army in 1941. He was married to Willene on January 18, 1942, and he then served 19 months in England and received an honorable discharge in 1945. After the service, he returned to Wynne, AR, and worked 11 years with his father in the automobile business at Hampton Motor Company. In June, 1957, he moved with his family to Morrilton, AR, as the owner and operator of Colonial Motel and Restaurant for 16 years. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, horseman and golfer, and traveled extensively throughout the U.S., Europe and the Holy Land. Most of all, he loved his family and church. His son, David Hampton, is the owner of Jumpin' Catfish Restaurants in Kansas City, and daughter, Carol Hampton, is Associate Dean at VA Commonwealth University School of Medicine in Richmond, VA. T.D. (as his grandchildren liked to call him) was a charter member of the Wynne Lion's Club, where he served as both president and secretary. In Morrilton, he was a member of Rotary Club, served as President and Secretary and was named Rotarian of the Year. He was a Mason, a member of the Rensellear Vann Lodge, No. 494 in Wynne for more than fifty years. He was also a Shriner. A memorial service will be held at 11 o'clock AM on Friday, September 1st at Grace United Methodist Church in Olathe, KS. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Grace UMC, 11485 Ridgeview Rd., Olathe, KS 66061 or Wesley Foundation Campus Ministry, AR Tech University, P.O. Box 8668, Russellville, AR 72801.