George Mervyn Hampton, Sr. departed this life on June 29, 2023. He was the seventh of eight children born to the late Larsie & Harry Hampton in Englewood, New Jersey on June 7, 1928. He attended the public schools in Englewood, then at the age of 15, he moved to Greensboro, North Carolina to live with his now deceased brother and his wife, Dr. William, and Wilhelmina Hampton. He graduated from James B. Dudley High School in 1946. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from North Carolina AT&T University, a Master of Science degree from Virginia State University, and a Doctor of Arts in Education from the University of Central Arizona.
In February 1960 he married Deloris Diane Carter, and they had two children George Mervyn Jr. and Sydni Theresa.
He served in various command and staff assignments during more than 20 years of service in the U.S. Army. This service included four years as an Assistant Professor of Military Science at Virginia State University. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, and the Army Commendation Medal during his military service. He retired from the Army in 1971 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Following retirement, he was a Research Scientist, Project Director, and Human Relations Specialist with American Institutes for Research. While there, he directed research and development projects in Asia and Africa that dealt with conflict resolution among Americans and host country nationals and between majority and minority Americans. Dr. Hampton later joined the Institute for International Research as project director for the Marine Corps Leadership and Human Relations Program development. Once the program was developed, he was co-director of the Marine Corps Leadership and Human Relations Institute in San Diego, California. This institute trained leadership instructors for the formal schools at Quantico and other major installations. From 1967 to 1969, Dr. Hampton was an adjunct professor of psychology at the Far East Division of the University of Maryland, and from 1975 to 1979, he was an adjunct professor of human relations at Pepperdine University. In 1978, he established and served as President of G& A Associates. This organization was designed to conduct research and training in human relations to specifically address racism, sexism, and cross-cultural problems in government and civilian industry. From 1975 until 1982, Dr. Hampton was the Political Advisor to the Prince William Branch of the NAACP. In 1982, Governor Charles Robb appointed him to the Virginia Parole Board. Reappointed by Governor Gerald Baliles, he served on this Board until 1990. In 1990, he was appointed Chairman and CEO of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board by Governor L. Douglas Wilder, where he served until he retired from State service in 1994. In August 1994, Dr. Hampton was appointed by Chief Judge Molinari to serve on the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Citizens Advisory Council, where he served until June 2002. In 1995, Governor George Allen appointed him to a four-year term on the State Board of Elections, where he served as Vice Chairman until January 1999. In January 1997, Dr. Hampton was appointed as the Prince William County representative to the Board of Directors of Northern Virginia Community College. He served in that position until June 2005. In July 2003, Governor Mark Warner appointed him as a member of the Board of Visitors at Virginia State University. He served in that position until July 2007. He was also a member of the Virginia State University Foundation. Dr. Hampton had the privilege of serving on many other short-term advisory boards and commissions during his 47 years as a resident of Prince William County.
He was a member of many organizations, including the Pi Lambda Lambda Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. where he was a founding member. Dr. Hampton joined the Fraternity Mu Psi in 1949 North Carolina A&T. The George M. Hampton Foundation was named in honor of him. The George M. Hampton Foundation was founded on the idea of helping those in need. Dr. Hampton was a member of Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, Korean Veterans, Military Officers Association of America, The ROCKS, and The Fellowship Club of Prince William County. In 1965 he became a founding member of the National Negro Golf Association.
In August 2016, Godwin Middle School was renamed George M. Hampton Middle School, a school both of his children had attended. He considered this renaming by the Prince William School Board one of his most significant and enjoyable achievements. Perhaps one of his greatest gifts was his willingness to recognize and serve others. He was one of the originators of the Prince William County Walk of Fame, permanent granite plaques recognizing the accomplishments of high-profile community servants in our county. His wife, Delores Hampton, was one of the recipients. He has nominated others for this very prestigious recognition. He was the author of the annual Delores Hampton Award given by the Virginia Democratic Committee. Both he and his wife were politically active. Most notably, The George Hampton Foundation, sponsored by the Pi Lambda Lambda Chapter of Omega Psi Phi, Inc. provides thousands of dollars in scholarships annually.
On June 28, 2023, a day before his death, Dr. George Hampton received the highest honor awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, that of the Kentucky Colonel. The Colonels are Kentucky’s ambassadors of goodwill and fellowship around the world. Commissions as Kentucky Colonels are presented for contributions to the community, state, or nation and notable achievements of all kinds.
Dr. Hampton’s favorite quotes is; “Don’t let where you came from determine where you are going or what you can achieve,” “We have duties to others and duties to ourselves, and we cannot shirk either.” (Theodore Roosevelt) and “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” (John F. Kennedy).
Dr. Hampton united with First Mount Zion Baptist Church in Dumfries, VA in 2011.
In addition to his parents and siblings, he was preceded in death by his wife, Deloris Carter Hampton. He is survived by two children, George Mervyn Jr. and Sydni Theresa, and a granddaughter, Desiree Diane, as well as a host of Carter-Hampton nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.