Merrill C. Hampton

Redmond, Utah – Merrill C. Hampton, age 88, of Redmond, passed away peacefully in Gunnison, Utah, on July 15, 2015. Merrill was born July 26, 1926 in Joseph, Utah to Charles and Una Christina Dorius Hampton. He was the middle child, a twin, and the only boy of nine children. He grew up in Marysvale, Utah. He enjoyed a family that worked, played, and worshiped together. The family didn’t have access to coal, so Merrill and his dad had to gather enough wood to last the whole winter. He learned the value of hard work and business at a very young age. He raised sheep in 4-H and turkeys to make money when he was young. Merrill graduated from Marysvale High School, class of 1944. He was drafted into the United States Navy in November of 1944. World War II ended in 1945 and he finished his military service in August of 1946. When he came home from the Navy, his family had moved from Marysvale to Redmond and his dad was farming. Merrill helped his dad on the farm and grew to love it. He has been farming ever since. While he farmed, he worked at various other places at the same time. He worked at the sugar beet factory, the turkey plant in Salina, the carrot plant in Sigurd, Albert Poulson’s Salt Mine, he milked cows, Redmond City, and he did roof bolting for ABC and loaded train cars for SUFCO coal mine. He married the love of his life, Fay Bouvang, in the Manti LDS Temple, November 2, 1951. Merrill and Fay lived their entire married life in Redmond, Utah where they were blessed with four children. They enjoyed working together, family holiday get-togethers, and family dinners on Sunday. In, 1982, Merrill and his sons, Keith and Kevin, went into the dairy business and created Hampton Farming and Livestock. Merrill and Fay were both known for their dedication and hard work. Merrill was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served in various church callings, but the one he loved the most was serving in the nursery. He loved the children and the children loved him. He also was a faithful home teacher. Merrill and Fay served as temple workers in the Manti, Utah Temple. They also served a mission at the Sigurd Bishop’s Storehouse. Merrill was a member of the American Legion Post 118. He served as the Adjutantfor his post for many years. He received an award from the American Legion in 2009 for 60 years of continuous membership and now has been a member for 66 years. Merrill and Fay were the recipients of the Utah Commission of Marriage, “Gold Medal Marriage Recognition” award in February 2008. Merrill loved his wife and family. They meant the world to him. His life was turned upside down when his beloved Fay passed away just 7 weeks ago and their reunion in Heaven had to be a joyous one. He loved to have his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren around him and he cherished their visits. He loved being outside and working in the yard or polishing his car. Even being tethered to oxygen, you could find him chopping weeds and watering or cleaning up his yard. He truly was a good example to all who knew him. Merrill is survived by his children: Keith and Patsy Hampton, Terri Lyn and Burke Williams, all of Redmond, Cynthia and Marlin Mason of Ephraim, and daughter-in-law: Nancy Hampton of Redmond; 4 sisters, Luella Kralka of California, Anna Fae and Willis Hales of Redmond, Della Rae and Neldon Peterson of Salt Lake, and Leila Crane of Salina; 21 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren. Merrill was preceded in death by his wife Fay Bouvang Hampton, his son Kevin Hampton; his parents Charles and Una Hampton; sisters (twin) Merle Roberts, Nelda Behunin, Vaunda Colby, and Ruby Hampton Merrill’s family extend thanks from the bottom of our hearts to the EMT’s, Utah Valley trauma team, doctors, and nurses and Naomi (an angel), Doctor Jensen, the nurses and staff at Gunnison Valley Hospital, and Gunnison Hospice, for the love and tender care they extended to Dad and our family during the past weeks. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 25, 2015 at 12:00 noon in the Redmond 1st LDS Ward Chapel, 310 West 100 North. There will be a viewing Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Springer Turner Funeral Home, 150 East Main in Salina or Saturday morning from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., prior to the services at the Redmond Ward Chapel in Redmond. Interment will be in the Redmond City Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.