Joseph Roy Hampton, 91, passed away on January 30, 2017. He was born on May 2, 1925 to Roy and Loretta Hampton in Chadron, Nebraska.
Joe grew up during the Great Depression and entered Chadron State College in 1944. His funds ran out and Joe became an apprentice electrician, working for 70 cents an hour. He moved to Lincoln in 1947 because he could get 20 cents an hour more. He was 22 years old and had $40 in his pocket. He began building a house in his spare time, evenings and weekends, intending it to be his own home. However, housing was in short supply in post-war Lincoln and he sold his new house before it was finished for a profit of $800. It was the beginning of a pioneering enterprise that set a pace for development in the Lincoln area. He married his wife, Marjorie, on May 3, 1953, where she was an integral part in her husband’s business, Hampton Enterprises. He ventured into commercial building in 1964, building a company that employs over 70 people in its commercial real estate, commercial construction and land development divisions.
He was very active in the community, having been elected to the Lincoln City Council from 1977 to 1989 and the Lincoln Airport Authority for 12 years. He also served as President of LIBA, East Lincoln Business Association, Home Builders Association of Lincoln, League of Nebraska Municipalities, as a Board member of Tabitha, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and founder of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee, as well as many other community organizations and projects.
In recent years the community project that he was extremely excited about was building the Pinnacle Bank Arena with Mortensen Construction; knowing that the project would renovate and energize downtown Lincoln.
He enjoyed spending time at the family’s summer cabin in Fremont where he would water ski and fish. In the wintertime he enjoyed spending time at the family’s condo in Keystone snow skiing. He also enjoyed being a pilot.
Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie Hampton, this past September. Joe is survived by son, Bob & (Sheri) Hampton of Fremont, daughter, Lori Hampton & (Scott Dunn) of Lincoln, granddaughters Amy & (Joel) Bond of Commerce City, CO, Raeann Bronder of Lincoln, grandsons, Ty & (Theresa) Hampton of Anchorage, AK, Radd Bronder of Lincoln, great-grandchildren, Ryder and Lincoln Hampton of Anchorage, AK and Riley and Hayden of Commerce City, CO. and nephew’s John & Mike Hampton.
Funeral services are Friday, Feb. 3rd at 11 am at Sheridan Lutheran Church, 70th & Old Cheney.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools (where a scholarship fund will be set up for The Career Academy).