Gary Hampton

Biography

Gary Lee Hampton, son of Orin Arthur and Velma Woodland Hampton, waved his cowboy hat in a final goodbye on May 18, 2017. Gary was born in Blackfoot, Idaho, on April 7, 1951, lived there until moving with the family to Woods Cross, Utah, and later back to Ammon where he graduated from Bonneville High School in 1969. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Gary participated in sports. He especially loved playing baseball, football, and wrestling. His love of dirt bikes eventually led to the enjoyment of motorcycles and road trips. Gary started working as a carpenter, gaining experience in and around the valley. He had started his training as a finish carpenter in his early twenties when his life changed dramatically as he began a life-long struggle with mental illness. These episodes would affect his reality and the reality of his family throughout the rest of his life, although treatment allowed him to also experience many great things. Gary married Maryhelen W. Hampton in Blackfoot, Idaho, in November, 1979. In 1981, his beloved daughter, Shannon Lee, was born. The marriage ended in 1986, but Gary kept in touch throughout the years with his step-children, Rickie Shaffer, Cindy Hartley, Pamela Lenz, and Randall Resue. His life in Blackfoot centered on his horses, rodeos, hunting, fishing, and golf. He moved back to Idaho Falls where he was comfortable. During the last two years of his life, he resided at an assisted living residence in Pocatello. Gary was preceded in death by his parents and his grandparents, Leo and Florence Woodland and Ben and Winnie Hampton. Gary is survived by his daughter, Shannon (Cody) Homer, grandchildren, Kai and Sage, brothers, Ronald (Ellie) Hampton, Rodger (Debbie) Hampton, Bruce (Renae) Hampton, Douglas (Beverly) Hampton, and his sister, Margene (Steve) Reed, and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and aunts and uncles. The family would especially like to thank the officers of the Idaho Falls Police Department who took the time to get to know Gary (as his family did) and to treat him with respect and kindness under often difficult circumstances. We also want to express our profound gratitude to the staff at Diamond Peak Healthcare, also known as Safe Haven, for their dedication to helping Gary live a safe and happy life. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) Upper Valley Idaho Chapter, PO Box 2462, Idaho Falls, ID 83403 or to any charity of choice. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 25, 2017, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road. The family will visit with friends from 1:00-1:45 p.m. prior to services. Burial will be in the Grove City Cemetery in Blackfoot.