Harvel Hampton Jr.

Harvel Hampton, Jr., known to most by “Junior”, died at Parkland Health Center in Farmington, Missouri on September 7, 2023 at the age of 81. Junior was born on November 6, 1941 in Annapolis, Missouri to the late Harvel Charles Hampton, Sr. and Barbara (Smith) Hampton. He was united in marriage to Cheryl Morrow Hackworth on April 27, 1991 in Bonne Terre, Missouri. Junior is survived by his wife, Cheryl of Farmington, Missouri, two sons: Darren Hampton of Troy, Missouri and Matt Hampton of High Ridge, Missouri, and one step-son, Brandon Hackworth and wife Cassie of Lake St. Louis, Missouri; two sisters: Norma Gantzer of Ocala, Florida, and Joyce Dellazizzo of Warner Robins, Georgia; four grandchildren: Logan Hampton, Patrick Hackworth, Clayton Hackworth and Phillip Hackworth. He is preceded in death by his parents, Harvel Sr. and Barbara; four sisters: Inez Eaton, Laverta Crow, Nellie Scaggs and Linda Scaggs and two brothers: James Hampton and Elmer “Jack” Hampton. After graduating from Annapolis High School, Junior was drafted in the US Army on January 2, 1964, and was honorably discharged on January 6, 1966. He was one of just a few in his group whom they sent to Germany; the rest of the group was sent to Vietnam. He always said that it was because of the prayers of his mother that he was sent to Germany, and always felt that if he had been sent to Vietnam, he would probably not have returned alive. He was very proud of his time in the service, and spoke often about his adventures in Germany, but yet he never felt worthy to be honored as a veteran because he didn’t fight in the front lines. After his discharge from the Army, Junior got a job at McDonnell Douglas as a flight mechanic, working on the war planes. He always wondered why he made such a small wage working on those multimillion dollar airplanes. And he hated to fly, mainly because he knew how those planes were built. He retired from the same company, now known as Boeing, in 2001 with 36 years of service. Junior was a proud man who provided well for his family. Junior enjoyed Bluegrass music and played some banjo and guitar. He never felt good enough, and was so, so nervous when he played in front of people. In later years, he said he just forgot what he had learned, so he didn’t enjoy playing anymore. Junior enjoyed fishing and hunting with his brothers. He finally quit when he got older and wondered why he was sitting out in the cold looking for a deer, when he didn’t even like deer meat; or sitting in a boat in 100 degree sun all day waiting for a bite. During the St. Louis Cardinal baseball games on TV, he might call Jim or Jack several times complaining about a certain play or a bad manager. Between him and Jim, they knew they could have done it better. He loved spending time with his family, and his family could always throw a great party. He also loved to travel, especially to visit family in other states that he didn’t get to see very often. Junior absolutely loved building things with his hands. He always said that he learned by trial and error and was a perfectionist at most anything he went to do. He could do plumbing, electrical, carpentry – pretty much anything he set his mind to do. He built houses, barns, porches, decks and anything else that he thought would better his home. But his main hobby was MOVING! Oh, did he like to move. He would buy a beautiful place, then make it more beautiful, then when he didn’t feel there was anything more to do, usually at the 2 year mark, he was ready to move on. But that was Junior. In the 32 years that he and Cheryl were married, they moved at least 12 times, just for the fun of it! Junior attended the church of the Nazarene in Annapolis off and on most of his life, but in the last few years, attended Park Hills Church of the Nazarene. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. He will be truly missed by all who knew him. Visitation will be held at Bryson Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, September 11, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Funeral Services will be Monday, September 11, 2023 at Bryson Funeral Home Chapel at 12:00 p.m. Rev. Howard Casteel and Rev. Alan Harp officiating. Interment with full Military Honors at Annapolis Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Annapolis Church of the Nazarene, Park Hills Church of the Nazarene or Annapolis Cemetery.