Thomas Lee Hampton, 65, of Lexington, Ohio, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2025, at his residence—the same home he lived in all his adult life. Some might call that stubborn; Tom would call it consistency.

Born in Mansfield on February 5, 1960, Thomas was the son of Tommy Lee Hampton and Sharon Ann (Edwards) Wilson. A proud graduate of Lexington High School, Class of 1978, he had an insatiable curiosity, a mind that soaked up knowledge like a sponge, and a memory so sharp he could recall details from decades ago—whether you asked for them or not.

Tom faced his share of challenges, including a stroke in his 20s, but he refused to let it define him. Through sheer determination, he worked hard to overcome, adapt, and persevere, never letting anything stand in the way of his independence. In fact, he prided himself on it. He didn’t ask for help unless absolutely necessary—and even then, you’d probably hear a joke about it first.

A man of many talents and interests, Tom held jobs across Ben Franklin, banking, IT, Walmart Tire and Lube, and network security, but his favorite role was working alongside his best bud and brother, Bruce Hampton, at Bruce’s company Remote Admin. The two were inseparable, bonded by business, brotherhood, and an endless arsenal of inside jokes.

Tom took over the care of his son Michael as a single dad. There was no denying that Mike inherited his dad’s sharp wit and sense of humor. Though life dealt them both challenges, they faced them with resilience and a well-timed joke. Now, father and son are reunited—no doubt already exchanging zingers and making up for lost time.

He had an incredible love for technology, especially 3D printing, security, and computers. He and Siri were practically best friends. He also had a passion for flying drones and model planes, and as a member and treasurer of the Electronic Flyers and the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), he was a staple in the local flying community.

Tom had a sharp wit and a legendary sense of humor. His one-liners were legendary, his zingers well-timed, and his house even had a sign:

“WARNING! My sense of humor might hurt your feelings.”

If you ignored the warning, well… that was on you. Even his email handle, “Chair Force One,” was a perfect example of his humor. And at Walmart, he somehow convinced management to let his nametag reflect this.

Though fiercely independent, Tom found an equally strong-willed partner in Rebecca Schulte, his love of 13 years. They had known each other in high school but reconnected years later when Tom, never one to waste time, emailed her out of the blue and asked her on a date. Their first dinner was at Applebee’s—perhaps just so he could show off his ability to cut a steak one-handed with his rocker blade. They were a perfect match: both independent, both stubborn, and both endlessly supportive of one another.

He had an incredible group of neighbors and friends, the kind you don’t find just anywhere—people who shared laughs, looked out for each other, and made his life richer. He was a dedicated member of the Moron Club—yes, the “Moron Club”—which met for lunch every Tuesday rain or shine.

And while he loved technology, Tom was also a golfer—and a pretty good one, too. On July 19, 1979, at Little Apple (formerly San-Dar Acres), he did what most golfers only dream of: he hit a hole-in-one. He may or may not have mentioned it a few times over the years.

Tom lived by a simple but powerful mantra:

Start where you’re at.

Use what you’ve got.

Do what you can.

He is survived by his partner Rebecca Schulte of Lexington; his sister Terri Haeseker (Travis) of Mansfield; numerous nieces and nephews; along with a circle of good friends and neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his son Michael in April 2023, his brother Bruce Hampton in December 2024; his mother Sharon Ann Wilson last month; and his father Tommy Hampton.

Tom’s final resting place will be in Shauck Cemetery, near his father and son. His impact, humor, and wisdom will live on in the countless lives he touched. Contributions can be made to a cause near and dear to his heart:

Independent Living Center of North Central Ohio

680 Park Avenue West, Suite G2, Mansfield, OH 44906

or online at ILCNCO.org

Tom would tell you to “Pity the Living, not the Dead.” His family hopes you will take a moment to write how you know Tom and post a memory on his Tribute Wall at SnyderFuneralHomes.com

Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Homes, Lexington Avenue Chapel

Website: https://www.snyderfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Thomas-Lee-Hampton-Jr?obId=40259574#/obituaryInfo