Percy Hampton Jr.

Percy Hampton, a beloved community leader, freedom fighter, and union president, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.Born in Portland, Percy was the proud son of parents who came to Oregon during World War II seeking opportunity and justice. His father, originally from Arkansas, and his mother, from Idabel, Oklahoma, moved to Portland in 1942. Both worked in the shipyards—his father on Swan Island and later at Zidell. 

Percy’s early life was deeply shaped by their hard work and determination.While attending Jefferson High School, Percy joined a study group that would later form a chapter of the Black Panther Party. After graduation, he enrolled at Portland State University, where his anti-war ideology made him a controversial figure on campus.As a founding member of the local chapter, Percy was instrumental in the BPP’s mission to serve the people.In charge of local distribution of The Black Panther, the newspaper produced and shipped to Portland from the Party’s Oakland headquarters, he also helped organize the free Children’s Breakfast Program, which served up to 125 children every weekday. 

He later helped establish the Fred Hampton Memorial People’s Health Clinic and the Malcolm X Dental Clinic, providing free care to under served communities.Since the late sixties, when he first left PSU, Percy had helped connect people with union jobs. In 1974, he joined Laborers International Union Local 737, where he worked on construction sites—building structures and learning the trade from the ground up. His passion for worker rights propelled him to union leadership,and he eventually served as President of LIUNA Lo-cal 737. As president, Percy fought tirelessly to secure health insurance, pensions, and fair treatment for la-borers, advocating directly with major employers like Hoffman and Andersen construction companies. 

He was a powerful voice for workers in Oregon.Percy was also known for his artistic soul. A long-time member of the Portland Bonsai Society, he found peace and beauty in the cultivation of bonsai trees, which he collected and cared for with pride. Through this, he showed others the art in nature and the importance of patience and discipline.Percy is survived by Kathleen Tinnon Hampton, his beloved wife of 41 years; siblings Patty Carter, Gary and Becky Hampton; grandchildren Simone and Jada Hampton, Elijah Crawford, Jazmine Hall, and Indonesia Foxworth; two great-grandchildren; and a wide community of friends, colleagues, comrades, and many people whose lives he impacted across Portland and beyond.