Bruce Arthur Hampton, age 89, passed away at McCook Community Hospital in McCook, Nebraska on December 24,2020. He was born July 8, 1931 north of Mullen, Nebraska to Carlie Curtis Hampton and Cammie Ellen (Morrison) Hampton. Bruce was united in marriage to Esther Schuetz in McCook, Nebraska on June 1, 1958. He received his primary education in the Sandhills area. He spent the early part of his life working on area ranches. He joined the Army and served two years of active duty and then transferred to the Army Reserves Nebraska Military District for six years. During his service he received the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. After his military service he attended and graduated from the National School of Meat Cutting in Toledo, OH. He came to McCook and was employed at Safeway as a meat cutter. Bruce farmed and worked for McCook Public Power REA. After leaving the REA he continued farming. He attended the Mid-Plains Voc-Tech College in North Platte, NE where he received a Certificate of Achievement for Arc and Oxy-Acetylene Welding. Bruce and Esther started a janitorial business in 1981. Bruce went to work for McCook National Bank in the maintenance department, he and Esther did the janitorial work at night for the bank.
He was a member of the VFW, Eagles, American Legion and a member of the Memorial United Methodist Church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and the outdoors. Bruce’s passion and talent for the craft of welding is displayed in the artwork he created for family and friends. He had a great sense of humor and could find the positive in everything. Bruce especially loved spending time and visiting with his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carlie and Cammie, an infant brother, Peter and brothers, Kenneth, Harvey and Chester and son-in-law, Danny Pinkerton.
Bruce is survived by his wife Esther of 62 years; daughters, Peggy Pinkerton of Newport Beach, CA and Pam (Heinz) Wallace of Junction City, KS; grandchildren, Chris Wallace of Junction City, KS and Sara (Andy) Larson of Randolph, KS. He was excited that he was going to be a great-grandparent in 2021. He is also survived by his brother, Richard (Hilda) Hampton of McCook, NE; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be at 1:00 P.M., Thursday, December 31, 2020 at the Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook, NE with Terry McCorkle officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in McCook NE. Visitation will be December 30, 2020 from 10:00 A.M. -7:00 P.M. with family present from 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
Memorials may given in his name to the McCook Humane Society. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com.
Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook, NE is entrusted with arrangements.