Lt. Commander Thomas David Hampton, U.S. Navy (Ret) died at home on April 3, 2021 under the care of Vitas Hospice and his family. Tom was born in Gainesville, FL on February 19, 1934 to the late William F. Hampton and Grace Dobbins Hampton and moved to Citrus Co. 21 years ago from Miami.
After leaving high school in the tenth grade, he joined the U.S. Navy and served as an Aviation Electronics Technician, flying as a radar operator off the aircraft carriers USS Midway and USS Bennington. After completing his enlistment, he earned a degree in building construction from the University of Florida. He then rejoined the Navy and graduated from flight training in 1960. Subsequent assignments ranged from hurricane reconnaissance to conducting magnetic surveys around the world, including Southeast Asia (Vietnam) and Spain. He retired from the Navy after 22 years of service as a Lieutenant Commander. Tom was just 43 years of age and a new career was beckoning.
He was hired by Dade County at the Miami International Airport as a Ramp Supervisor for 20 years before retiring for a second time. He enjoyed traveling around Europe and scheduled a major trip almost every year. He especially liked attending reunions and gatherings over the years with former naval officer friends and acquaintances. Tom was a Life Member of both the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Left to cherish his memory are two children: Linda F. Kirk, Charlotte, NC and Thomas D. Hampton, Jr. of Inverness, FL; 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
As per Tom’s request, his cremains will be scattered. His epitaph is to be the last line from Leoncavallo’s Opera I Pagliacci: “La commedia e finite” which means “the comedy is finished”.
Cremation With Care by Chas. E. Davis.
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