Obituary for Jackie Dean Hampton
Jackie Dean Hampton, 74, of Black Rock and Paragould, Arkansas, passed away on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at StoneBridge Senior Living in Pocahontas, Arkansas. Jack was born on March 30, 1946 in Marmaduke, Arkansas, to Elvis and Violet “Eva” Hampton.
Jack spent his early years in Paragould. He enlisted into the United States Army in July, 1964 upon completion of high school. After being trained as a Radio and Morse Code operator in the states, Jack was assigned to the United States Army European Command. He spent the majority of 1965 serving as a Radio Operator in Germany.
In December of 1965 Jack was reassigned to Vietnam. He served as a Radio Telephone Operator with the 1st Infantry Division “Big Red One”. His unit conducted several missions in the Mekong Delta of South Vietnam during 1966. While in this area of operation, the U.S. Air Force was simultaneously conducting heavy defoliate operations inside the Mekong Delta. This is where Jack was afflicted with the Agent Orange poisoning that would haunt him in his later years.
Jack was honorably discharged from active duty in 1967. He later served as a radio operator in the Arkansas Army National Guard from 1970-1976. He was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans Association, and served as the Paragould Chapter President for three years.
Jack relocated from Paragould to Black Rock in 1996 in order to become more involved in his children and grandchildren’s lives. During his time in Black Rock, he became an endearing figure to many in the area. He took great joy in sitting at any of the local convenience stores in the area, drinking coffee and catching up on the local and national gossip. He also took great pride in driving his grandkids from place to place when they were too young to drive.
Jack is preceded in death by his parents, Elvis and Eva Hampton of Paragould; his brother, Donald Hampton of Paragould; and his sister, Carolyn Hodge of Marmaduke.
Jack is survived by three sons: Steven Vellucci of South Bend, Indiana; Kenneth Vellucci of South Bend, Indiana; and John (Stephanie) Hampton of Walnut Ridge: one daughter, Lacey Robinett of Walnut Ridge; and the brother of John and Lacey that he loved like a son, Jeff (Regan) Scheller of Borger, Texas; three grandchildren: Ranie (Cody) Hills of Pocahontas; Jared Robinett of Walnut Ridge; Caden Murphy of Walnut Ridge; great grandchild, Kogan Vaughn of Pocahontas; sisters: June (Gerald) Hodge of Marshall, Michigan; and Shirley (Robert) Hudson of Marmaduke.
Cremation has been chosen as the method of final disposition. A memorial service will be held at the New Life Full Gospel Church in Black Rock on Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Chad Burton is officiating. All family and friends are invited to attend. Due to the age of some of those in attendance, social distancing guidelines will be observed, and all attendees must wear a mask while in the church.
Jack spent his early years in Paragould. He enlisted into the United States Army in July, 1964 upon completion of high school. After being trained as a Radio and Morse Code operator in the states, Jack was assigned to the United States Army European Command. He spent the majority of 1965 serving as a Radio Operator in Germany.
In December of 1965 Jack was reassigned to Vietnam. He served as a Radio Telephone Operator with the 1st Infantry Division “Big Red One”. His unit conducted several missions in the Mekong Delta of South Vietnam during 1966. While in this area of operation, the U.S. Air Force was simultaneously conducting heavy defoliate operations inside the Mekong Delta. This is where Jack was afflicted with the Agent Orange poisoning that would haunt him in his later years.
Jack was honorably discharged from active duty in 1967. He later served as a radio operator in the Arkansas Army National Guard from 1970-1976. He was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans Association, and served as the Paragould Chapter President for three years.
Jack relocated from Paragould to Black Rock in 1996 in order to become more involved in his children and grandchildren’s lives. During his time in Black Rock, he became an endearing figure to many in the area. He took great joy in sitting at any of the local convenience stores in the area, drinking coffee and catching up on the local and national gossip. He also took great pride in driving his grandkids from place to place when they were too young to drive.
Jack is preceded in death by his parents, Elvis and Eva Hampton of Paragould; his brother, Donald Hampton of Paragould; and his sister, Carolyn Hodge of Marmaduke.
Jack is survived by three sons: Steven Vellucci of South Bend, Indiana; Kenneth Vellucci of South Bend, Indiana; and John (Stephanie) Hampton of Walnut Ridge: one daughter, Lacey Robinett of Walnut Ridge; and the brother of John and Lacey that he loved like a son, Jeff (Regan) Scheller of Borger, Texas; three grandchildren: Ranie (Cody) Hills of Pocahontas; Jared Robinett of Walnut Ridge; Caden Murphy of Walnut Ridge; great grandchild, Kogan Vaughn of Pocahontas; sisters: June (Gerald) Hodge of Marshall, Michigan; and Shirley (Robert) Hudson of Marmaduke.
Cremation has been chosen as the method of final disposition. A memorial service will be held at the New Life Full Gospel Church in Black Rock on Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Chad Burton is officiating. All family and friends are invited to attend. Due to the age of some of those in attendance, social distancing guidelines will be observed, and all attendees must wear a mask while in the church.