Kenneth LeRoy Hampton, 71, of Porterville, California passed away with his wife and family at his side on Thursday, March 25, 2010 at Sierra View District Hospital in Porterville.

Ken was born on February 14, 1939 in George, Iowa to Grace Tuin Hampton and Orville "Jack" Hampton. He graduated from Washington Senior High School in Worthington, Minnesota as a proud member of the Class of 1957. Ken was a member of the Lobes Hot Club. After graduating from high school, he then joined the Navy and toured the world for 4 ½ years as a radio-man. He also was a tech at Rocketdyne and worked on the engines that powered the missiles that both protected us and got us to the moon. He worked at Sequoia Pacific Paper Company and retired from Porterville Developmental Center in 2008. Ken had the opportunity to follow many passions in his life including farming, ranching, becoming a master gardener, holding special needs children, and traveling. Ken was a great man with many passions, friends, family and faith all by his side. Ken married his wife Laurie in 2005 at Pleasant Valley Chapel in Springville, California on March 19, 2005. At this time Ken held four district offices for the California-Hawaii Association of Protective Order of the Elks B.P.O.E. He was Past Exalted Ruler of Porterville Elks Lodge #1342. He also was Porterville Emblem Club #82 first male member. He began to develop a magnificent garden in his residence (Little Bit Ranch) where he spent most of his time tending to flowers, fruits, animals and landscaping. He was a man you would always want to talk to, tell all your problems to and that one person you can confide in at all times. He was a man of integrity and strong will as he fought many types of cancers. Ken has gone with his Savior Jesus Christ and will be remembered threw the hearts of others.

Ken is survived by his wife Laurie, his step-children Auna Russell & Gage Hughes and a grandson Zachary Russell of Porterville and Shelly Nguyen, and Jaime Towe of Modesto, California. Also a sister Jackie and Bill Pick of Fountain City, Wisconsin, a brother Daryl (Butch) Hampton of Rosemount, Minnesota, nieces Jackie, Arlene, Monica and nephews Mike and Darren.

He is preceded in death by his parents Grace and Orville "Jack" Hampton.

A service will be held at Myers Chapel on Wednesday, March 31st at 10:00 AM. Also following will be a memorial ceremony provided by the Emblem Club #82 and the Porterville Elks Lodge #1342 and a brunch also at the Porterville Elks Lodge. Ken will be buried in his beloved Minnesota. A private graveside service for the immediate family will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, April 2nd at the Adrian Cemetery in Adrian, Minnesota. Ken was a very proud veteran and will be buried with military honors. May he forever rest in peace until we see him again.