March 12, 1957 ~ January 10, 2025 (age 67)
Obituary
George Thomas Hampton Jr. was born in Houston, Texas on March 12, 1957, and passed away peacefully at home in Nacogdoches, Texas on January 10, 2025.
As a young boy, he worked at his dad’s hardware store in Houston. On the weekends, he and his dad spent time fishing at Shirley Creek on Lake Sam Rayburn. George opened his own tire business in Pasadena, Texas in 1975 called George’s Tire Mart. After selling his business in 1979, he moved to Nacogdoches, Texas and worked in construction. In the early 1980’s, he eventually moved back to Pasadena, Texas and worked in construction with his cousin Dean Terry. It was that endeavor that got him a construction job in Pueblo, Colorado where he met his wife, Mary. George and Mary were married on September 23, 1983. They settled back in Pasadena, Texas where they started their family: Jennifer was born in 1985 and Brandi in 1987. George spent some time working in the oil refineries in Pasadena as an instrument fitter. In 1994, the Hampton family moved to Pueblo, Colorado, but George’s heart was always in Texas. The entire Hampton family relocated again in 2003 to Nacogdoches, Texas where George started working at Oak Manor Nursing Home as the maintenance supervisor. In 2007, he took an opportunity to work at Stephen F. Austin State University as a building operator for the housing department. It was here where he finished his career and retired in 2023 after 16 years of service.
George was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and enjoyed going to games and tailgate with his “brothers” – Micky Allen, Charles Montes, Jim Rader and Leigh Myers. He loved John Wayne movies, fishing, Dr. Pepper, family gatherings, Texas, America, Chevrolet, and loving on his grandbabies. He could fix anything and everything that was broken. He was certified in HVAC and a skilled carpenter, but really was a jack of all trades – helping to maintain and renovate many of the sorority houses in Nacogdoches. One of the biggest blessings of his career at SFA was teaching the HOPS boys the many trades that would help them in their adult life. He was a believer in Jesus Christ, had the biggest heart for people and never met a stranger. He was loved by so many who knew him.
George is survived by his wife, Mary; children Jennifer McCrady (Andy) and Brandi Derouen (Cody); four grandchildren – Joanna, Emma, Jackson, Harvey and expecting Henry in February 2025; child George Thomas Hampton III and granddaughter Violet; cousin Dean Terry; Randy Hensley – friend of 50+ years; Micky Allen – friend of 20 years; and numerous other friends he dearly loved.
He is preceded in death by his father, George Thomas Hampton, Sr.; his mother, Nova Geraldine Hampton; his sisters Laura Diane Betz Hampton and Ella Tomigene Hampton; and brother Giles Terry Hampton.
A visitation/celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, from 4-6 p.m. at Holly Springs Baptist in the Fellowship Hall.
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