Douglas M Hampton, 85, of Bangs passed away peacefully on June 22, 2023. His wife and both daughters were by his side. A visitation with family will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 PM, at Heartland Funeral Home on Sunday, June 25, 2023. Graveside services will be at 10:00 AM on Monday, June 26th, in the Eastlawn Memorial Park cemetery with Pastor Rick Justice officiating.
Doug was born February 11, 1938 in Slaton, Texas to Joseph Sanford and Barnie (White) Hampton. He attended high school in Slaton, and then moved to Brownwood to work for the Santa Fe Railroad. In 1961 he joined the US Army at age 22, where he served for two years as a helicopter mechanic SP4 and was stationed in Germany. Upon his return, Doug married the love of his life, Carolyn Beatrice Bramblett and they began a life together that blessed them with 2 daughters and over 60 years of marriage. Doug worked as a brakeman and conductor for Santa Fe Railroad where he retired after 32 years and he continued to work at his true passion, farming and ranching through the rest of his years.
Doug and Carolyn bought their first house in Early, Texas in 1964. They sold a horse and borrowed $1,000 dollars against Carolyn’s car to get the down payment! They bought the farm in 1973 and built their home where they have lived since August 1973. Doug and Carolyn cleared the land, put in grass and fences, dug tanks and raised many head of cattle over the years. The farm brought Doug happiness and contentment his entire life, and there’s no other place he would have wanted to raise his family. Doug loved horses, rodeos, bull riding, working with the land, raising cows and farming. He helped build the Bangs Rodeo arena because he wanted kids to have the experience and education that the rodeo provides. He was the President of the Bangs Rodeo Association for many years and also served on the Bangs School Board for several years. Doug enjoyed family vacation in their RV, going to the lake and taking the family boating and skiing, smoking briskets or cooking steaks on the grill. Most recently, he and Carolyn attended Rocky Creek Baptist Church where they met Pastor Rick. For the majority of his life, Doug was a member of the Methodist Church. Work was his hobby, if he wasn’t working on the railroad, he was working on the farm or building something. Doug leaves a legacy of hard work and a love for his family and God’s land and animals.
Doug is survived by his beloved wife, Carolyn Hampton of Bangs; daughters, Stacy Hampton Riffe of Brownwood & Tracy Hampton Souza of Parker, Texas; brother, Roland Hampton and wife, June of Early; sisters-in-law, Patsy Wilcox of San Angelo & Linda Bramblett of Bangs; and numerous nieces, nephews, church family and friends.
Doug was preceded in death by a son, Douglas Todd Hampton; daughter, Kaycee Leigh Hampton; son-in-law, John Souza; parents, Joseph & Barnie Hampton; sisters, Garnetta Edwards & Mary Jane Jackson and husband Max; brothers, Glen “Jiggs” Hampton and wife Earlene, Charles Hampton and wife Eva Mae & Harold Payne Hampton and wife Clydale; in-laws, LB & Wilma Bramblett.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate
Online condolences can be shared with family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net
