WYANDOTTE, Okla. — Alfred Frederick Hampton, 89, of Wyandotte, was called home to heaven by his Lord and Savior on Nov. 5, 2025, at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.
He was born Sept. 19, 1936, in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, to Fred and Ruth Adeline (Clay) Hampton. He attended public schools in Pawhuska and Fairfax and graduated from Pawhuska High School in 1955. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Education, majoring in music, from Northeastern State College (now Northeastern State University) in Tahlequah in 1959, and a Master of Music Education degree from Wichita State University in 1975.
Hampton taught instrumental and vocal music in Oklahoma and Kansas public schools for 37 and a half years, beginning his career in Fairland, Oklahoma, from 1959 to 1964. After retiring from full-time teaching, he worked as a substitute teacher and later as a teacher’s aide, retiring fully in 2006 after 46 years in public education.
He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at age 19 and was baptized at Calvary Baptist Church in Pawhuska. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Fairland at the time of his passing.
Hampton remained a bachelor for many years until marrying Janet Kay Webber on May 26, 1973, at Grant Avenue Baptist Church in Chanute, Kansas. They were blessed with two children, Clay and Amy.
Outside the classroom, music remained central to his life. He was active in church choir, band, and bell choir as both a member and director. He played string bass, tuba and violin, and his wife, Janet, accompanied him on piano. Music ministry was a shared joy throughout their marriage.
He enjoyed traveling, including special trips to Seattle; Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico; Mount Rushmore, South Dakota; and Medora, North Dakota, along with many activities throughout Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas and Nevada. He loved camping with the Webber family and later with his own young family. Roaring River in Missouri, where he fished for trout, remained one of his favorite destinations.
Hampton was proud of his Native American heritage. He was a member of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma and enjoyed attending tribal gatherings and powwows. In 2007, he took a memorable bus trip with other tribal members to the Eastern Shawnee native lands in Ohio. He was a dedicated University of Oklahoma Sooners fan, a passion shared by his children and most of his grandchildren.
He cherished being a father to Clay and Amy. He played games with them, read to them, took them to the park, and attended their school activities. The family was active in church together, often sharing special music as Clay and Amy learned tambourine and later trumpet. As a grandfather, he loved reading to his grandchildren, playing games and hosting lively musical jam sessions.
Hampton was preceded in death by his parents; brother Ennis Frank Hampton and wife Dorothy; sister Helen Adeline (Hampton) Bailey and husband Jack; nephew Freddie Perry Bailey; niece Margaret Ann (Hampton) Gilmartin and husband John; niece Sheila Jo (Bailey) Broyles; Jacqueline Ann (Bailey) Warren and husband Tony; in-laws Lloyd Gene and Cleo Lorraine Webber; sister-in-law Karen Jean Webber; and great nephew-in-law Nathan Wayne Cunningham.
He is survived by his wife, Janet Kay, of the home; son Clay Gene Hampton and wife Lacey Lynn; daughter Amy Lorraine (Hampton) Maddy Rinker and husband Jeffrey Scott; and seven grandchildren: Tess Elizabeth Sumner; Hailey Jo and Jalyn Kate Hampton; Erin Elizabeth, Benjamin James Maddy, Isaac Albert and Hannah Elizabeth Rinker. He is also survived by great-nieces Cindi Jo (Broyles) Smith and husband Curt; Kati JuneAnn Broyles; and Helen Marie Warren; great-nephew Derrick Lee Warren and wife Sara; sistersin- law Barbara Ann (Webber) Seybold and Colleen Ruth (Webber) Dennis and husband Loren; niece-in-law Sarah Lorraine Cunningham and husband Steve and their son, Noah; along with other nieces, nephews and many cousins.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Fairland, with the Rev. Andy Krebs officiating. Burial will follow immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Fairland First Baptist Church. Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Fairland is entrusted with arrangements.
