Kenneth Duane Hampton, 83, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 5, 2020.

Ken was born on July 26, 1936, in Asheville, NC. Ken attended Mars Hill College and graduated from North Carolina State University with a BS degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Upon graduation in pursuit of his love for aviation, he came to the Peninsula to work for NASA, Langley, in the Transonic Dynamics Tunnel, and later transferred to the US Army Aviation and Technology Directorate (AATD) (AVLABS) at Ft. Eustis, until his retirement in 1993. After retirement, he worked at Jamestown Settlement, was involved with CNU's Life-Long Learning Society, and pursued his love of art and was an accomplished painter.

Ken had a passion for serving others and the community. This was exemplified by his over 50 years of working with the Boy Scouts of America, especially with Troops 48 and 6. He was awarded the Silver Beaver and the Distinguished Scouting Award. Ken made a positive impact in the lives of so many boys through the years. He believed in scouting and taught by example, serving as a role model. Ken organized many a Klondike Derby, hiked the C & O Canal more times that he would have liked to remember, participated in numerous summer camps, and enjoyed a trip to Philmont. If added up, his time spent in the woods camping would have been over 6 years.

Ken was a quiet-spoken, kind and gentle man with a giving nature for others and always went the extra mile to help others. He was an avid reader and a wealth of knowledge and could always come up with little known trivia facts right on the spot.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Irma Sigmon Hampton and Carl Tipton Hampton and his brother, Thomas Bert Hampton. Ken is survived by his sons, Thomas Dean Hampton (Karen) of Richmond, and Duane Ross Hampton (Stephanie) of Mebane, NC; and his former spouse, Rossalyn Wolever Hampton, with whom he maintained a loving and caring relationship even after separation. He is also survived by 3 grandchildren, whom he loved dearly, Rachael, Lauren and Jessica Hampton, and 3 cousins: Jim Reeves of Prosper, TX, Lynn Parker of Winston-Salem, NC, and Carol Ford of Brentwood, TN.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church. Ken's greatest wish would be that random good deeds be passed on in his memory. In support of that, and in lieu of flowers, the family requested that donations be made in Ken's memory to BSA Troop 6, 802 Ashley Place, Newport News, VA 23608. Arrangements are by Weymouth Funeral Home.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Press from Feb. 9 to Feb. 12, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for KENNETH HAMPTON

Sponsored by Weymouth Funeral Home & Crematory.

8 Entries

Tex Jones

February 14, 2024

I remember working with Ken on Scout Troop 48 back in the mid 70´s - when I moved to CA Ken painted a picture of a P38 over Holland - still have the pic - good times!

Tex Jones

June 28, 2022

So sorry to hear this - we were in the middle of our move to Texas - Ken and I lead troop 48 for about 3yrs

George Colley

February 14, 2020

We lost a good scout, a good leader, a man of good character and integrity. He was my leader, my guide, my scout master. His name was Ken Hampton and i followed him on many a trail. There are many like me who followed him and he led us well. I will always be a mile and bit scout because of him.

Jeff Vaughan

February 11, 2020

One salient memory of Mr. Hampton, our intrepid Scout Master. Camping trip. At the 'Farm'. Capture-the-flag. The attackers rushed the hill to get the flag. In the chaos, a LOUD snap. Somehow, Mr. Hampton's leg got broke. The boys rallied and carried him out on a lashed-together stretcher. Not a hard word one from Mr. Hampton. What a guy. What a Scout Master. Jeff Vaughan, Eagle Scout, Troop 48.

Tom Vaughan

February 10, 2020

Ken Hampton was my Scoutmaster in Troop 48 for many years. He was a top-notch Scoutmaster who led the troop with a combination of humor, discipline, and wisdom. I'll always remember the ceremonies we had every so often when he would review the Scout Law. Trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, brave, clean, and reverent. Mr. Hampton exemplified the Scout Law by the way he led the Troop. Mr. Hampton was a fine man, the finest.

Margaret (Maggie) Vaughan

February 10, 2020

My brothers, Tom and Jeff Vaughan, received their Eagle Scout from Troop 48 under the supreme guidance of Mr. Hampton. Our prayers are with you all and we are so very sorry for the loss of this amazing man.

Margie, Charlie, David, Michael Dubay

February 9, 2020

Ken Hampton, Troop 6 Scout leader, was one of the most inspirational people of David and Michael's youth and of our adulthood. He was the ultimate Eagle Scout and a mentor to all. His enthusiasm and joy for all things outdoors was contagious. We will miss his wisdom and sage advice, but his influence, through his words, matched by his actions, will live on through all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Margie, Charlie, David and Michael Dubay

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