Hampton H. Hairfield, Jr.

Hampton H. Hairfield Jr., 91, of Staunton, peacefully entered eternal life on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at Royal Care at Birch Ridge in Staunton with his wife by his side. 

He was born February 4, 1933, in Staunton. He was the son of the late Hampton H. Hairfield, Sr. and Josephine Hanna Hairfield.

He attended St. Francis Roman Catholic School, Robert E. Lee High School, and the University of Virginia. As a teenager he played saxophone in the Starlighters band that included members: Jim Ridenour on clarinet, Walter Slade on trumpet, and Bob Thacker on drums. Hampton was a member of St. Francis Roman Catholic Church all his life from his baptism until his death. In his early years, he served as an altar boy, from which he developed a lifetime interest in incense. Later, he served as Master of Ceremonies as well as writing the history of his church. His interest with incense led to a small business where he provided incense to both Roman Catholic and Marionite churches. Fascinated by mysteries - especially those surrounding Stradivarius violins - he spent countless hours building a working violin of his own.

He was employed by Augusta County Schools where he first taught sixth and seventh grades at Greenville Elementary School. Later he went on to teach tenth grade English at Wilson Memorial High School. Subsequent to his retirement, he taught chemistry laboratories as a part-time instructor at Mary Baldwin College. Throughout his marriage, he and his wife carried on research into incense resins and co-authored three publications in chemical journals.

Hampton was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, John Howard and Harvey; his sisters, Harriette and Elizabeth (Bebe); and his cousins, Michael and Stevan Hanna. 

He is survived by his wife of nearly fifty years, Elizabeth Mauger Hairfield of Staunton; two sisters-in-law, Betty Hairfield of Richmond and Anne Hairfield of Mitchellville, MD; and his cousins, William Hanna, Jennifer Hanna Williams and daughter Hanna, and Sarah Hanna Foster and daughter Katie, all of Staunton.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, April 12, 2024, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Waynesboro with Reverend Matthias Lusembo officiating. A private burial will follow at Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (118 North New Street, Staunton, Virginia 24401).