Dr. James E. Hampton

Dr. James E. Hampton, 83, went to be with his Lord on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at his home in Clarksville.
Dr. Hampton was born June 22, 1929 in Memphis, Tennessee, son of James and Winona Hammack Hampton.
Surrendering to a strong desire to help his fellow man, Dr. Hampton began his path toward a career as a Physician at Vanderbilt University on a Naval ROTC Scholarship. Following receipt of his B.S. in 1951, he went to the University of Tennessee Medical School and received his M.D. in 1954. In the midst of his education he served 6 months active duty with the U.S. Navy. Following his education, Dr. Hampton began his 51 year medical career by serving with the Bureau of Indian Affairs under the U.S. Public Health Service. During this time he served in the capacity of Physician-In-Charge at PHS Indian Hospital in Claremore, OK from 1957-1959. Not long after, Dr. Hampton relocated to Clarksville in 1962 and opened his solo medical practice that served the greater Clarksville area until 1987. He then served as a Medical Missionary with his wife Barbara in Pusan, Korea from 1987-94. Beginning in 1997 Dr. Hampton joined the staff at the Montgomery Co. Health Department and served his community as a Physician there until his retirement in 2005.
Dr. Hampton belonged to many academic and professional organizations including Phi Beta Kappa-Vanderbilt, the American College of Physicians, the American Medical Association, and the Montgomery Co. Medical Association. He also had a strong sense of community service, made evident by his participation in numerous civic organizations and government appointments. They included the Clarksville Rotary Club (1964-87), Tennessee Trails Assoc., Hospital Chief-of-Staff, Board Member of the Clarksville-Montgomery Co. Health Foundation and the Montgomery Co. Health Department, and as a Montgomery Co. Commissioner (1973-86).
Above all, Dr. Hampton loved his Lord. He was a member of First Baptist Church from 1963-98 and a member of Christ Presbyterian from 2000 until he received his membership with the Church in Heaven.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara Smith Hampton, his son, the Rev. Cal Hampton and wife Diana of Waynsboro, TN, his daughters, Susan Smith and her husband Shan of Clarksville, Dee Ann Pickering and husband Michael of Hendersonville, TN, Ginny Dickson and husband Dwight, Jr. of Jamestown, TN, and Becky Haynes and her husband Dan of Murfreesboro, TN, and his 14 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church, Faith Sanctuary, from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, October 22, 2012 and from 1 p.m. until the hour of service Tuesday, October 23. Services will begin at First Baptist Church, Faith Sanctuary at 3 p.m.
Dr. Hampton requested his body be gifted to the Vanderbilt University Medical School as a final act of service to others. Therefore, there will be no graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Good Samaritan Medical/Dental Ministry, c/o First Baptist Church, 435 Madison St., Clarksville, TN 37040 or to the International Mission Board, PO Box 6767, Richmond, VA 23230.
Arrangements are in the care of McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home, (931)647-3371. Online condolences may be made at NaveFuneralHomes.com.