Ricky Dean Hampton

Ricky Dean Hampton, son of the late RE and Gerrea (Kirkland) Hampton, was born July 8, 1957, in Mountain Home, Ark. He passed away on Aug. 18, 2026, at his home in Mountain Grove at the age of 69. Rick graduated with the Mountain Grove High School Class of 1975 and began his life in law enforcement shortly after. At different times, he held the position of Assistant Chief of Police in the cities of Cabool and Ozark. After that, he decided to serve his country in the United States Army for four years. While in the military, he spent time in both Italy and Ft. Campbell, Ky. He treasured his time in law enforcement and the military. He also spent some time working at Hutchens steel plant in Mansfield and Walmart in Mountain Grove. Rick was married to Lisa Cooper and then later to Emma Welton. He enjoyed anything involving being outdoors, especially shooting guns and riding motorcycles when he was younger. He also enjoyed building custom guns and was a talented, self-taught, gunsmith in his spare time.
Besides his parents, Rick was preceded in death by one nephew, Shawn Michael Karvonen; one uncle, Ray Kirkland; one aunt, Geraldine (Kirkland) Blacksher; and one cousin, Barbara Cauldwell. Rick is survived by one sister, Michelle Hampton and her husband, Tim Hillgamyer, of Ozark; one niece, Lauren (Karvonen) Vazquez and her husband, Bryan, of Ozark; one nephew, Tyler Karvonen and his fiancé, Anna Conaway, of Ozark; one great-nephew, Ezra Vazquez, of Ozark; three cousins, Judy Anderson, Susan Hedrick and Teresa Stewart; and many other relatives and friends who will miss him greatly. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, in the Hillcrest Cemetery, Mountain Grove. Arrangements are under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home of Mountain Grove. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.