Harold Junior Hampton passed away at HSHS St. Francis Hospital on June 29,2025. He passed at the young age of 88 years old.

 

Whether you knew him as Ham or Junior, he made an impact on all those around him. Ham was an avid gardener and loved spending his summers outside planting and tending to his garden. He often gave his extra plants to friends and family. Ham loved Cardinals baseball, and, in the evenings, you’d often find him outside by the garden with the game on the radio and a beer in his hand. In his younger adventures he raced funny cars and worked as a local milk man.

 

Ham married his wife Joanne on July 10, 1978, in Litchfield. She survives. For many years he worked at International Paper and later Sierra International in Litchfield in the maintenance department. Ham also owned “Ham’s Place” in Litchfield. Ham was a Korean Era War Veteran. During active Army duty he was stationed in Germany. He was very proud that he was able to go on the local Honor Flight some years ago. Ham was a member of The American Legion, V.F.W. and Moose Club.

 

Ham is survived by a large family including:

-wife: Joanne

-daughter Laurie Lawson, husband Mark, children Ailey and Colby

-stepson: Jim Wilcox

-brothers: Bill (wife Dini) Hampton, Richard (wife Gwen) Hampton,

-sister: Janet (husband Mike) Stockamp

-a plethora of nieces, nephews, cousins and family friends

 

He was preceded in death by:

-infant son John Hampton,

-sisters: Mildred Jackson, Betty Davee, Linda Budd, Marion Brown, Dorothy Wilson

-brothers: Maynard Hampton

 

In lieu of flowers or memorial trees please donate to a veteran's organization.

 

Visitation will be from 4-7pm on Thursday, July 3rd at Becker and Son Funeral Home in Mt. Olive with cremation to follow. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.