Mr. Maceo Douglas Hampton

In Loving Memory Of “The purpose of life is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well” Ralph Waldo Emerson. Maceo Douglas Hampton believed that a life well lived is service to God, family, your fellow man, and pursuit of knowledge. He was a shining example of them all. Maceo Douglas Hampton was born on October 11, 1929, in Middletown, Ohio, to Clark Dehart Hampton “Duke” and Laura Buford Hampton. He was the 11th child of 12 children. Maceo was born to a very talented musical family. Each of his siblings were very talented musicians in their own right. So much so that the Hampton Family Jazz Band was formed when they were all very young children with Maceo playing the smooth trumpet far beyond his years. The Hampton Family Band was formed and instructed by Maceo’s father “Duke”, a musical savant. During his formative years, Maceo toured the country with his family playing in “hot jazz” venues all over the north and south, including the Cotton Club, the Apollo Theater, and ultimately Carnegie Hall. Spending most of his days pursuing his education and his nights setting the various cities on fire with his horn, he still felt a pulling on his soul from some unknown force that he could not yet identify. In May of 1951, during the Korean War, Maceo was drafted into the United States Army where he achieved the rank of Sargent. Recognizing his musical talent, the US Army designated Maceo to the US Army Band where he played with the likes of jazz greats Cannon Ball and Nate Adderley. Maceo was honorably discharged in May of 1953. Upon discharge from the Army, Maceo returned home to resume his jazz career with his family members. However, something had changed while he was gone. When he returned home, he continued to have a longing in his spirit that his life was meant for something other than fame and fortune. God was speaking to him and had a plan. In 1958, Maceo joined the Worldwide Church of God. It was there where he would meet his lifelong partner and love of his life, Phoebe Helene Gibson. Maceo and Phoebe were married in 1962. They had 7 children, Nathanial Hampton (Kelly), Natalie Gibson, Brian Gibson (Sylvia), Helena Branch (Norman), Douglas Hampton, Lydia McBurrows (Ronald), and Jason Hampton (Jinnie). Maceo is survived by 16 grandchildren 19 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. In an attempt to gain more knowledge and a better understanding of God, he pursued his theological studies at Ambassador College in Pasadena, California where he received his degree in Theology and was ordained as a Preaching Elder on October 13, 1965. On June 15, 1970, Maceo was ordained as a Minster for the Worldwide Church of God. Maceo continued preaching the gospel until his formal retirement from the Ministry in 1996. However, he was not done. Maceo continued to minister to souls worldwide until he could no longer speak. Maceo has left a legacy of true selfless servitude to men and women everywhere that will not soon be forgotten. Rest in Peace my good and faithful servant.

Mr. Maceo Douglas Hampton

October 11, 1929 - October 19, 2022