Can’t believe Gil has been gone for a year. I still see his smile everywhere and hear his woody woodpecker laugh. I’ll miss him always.

If I got on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.....he was going to be my "Call a Friend"
Just thought I'd let everyone know.
He was like me.....full of useless knowledge.
The only difference was, he also had the useful kind!!

There is no way to adequately express how your death has impacted our family.  Tim called you his ex husband in law, our daughter 
called you uncle and me…. I had the best ex husband and a best friend for life.  You still called mother and daddy for birthdays and holidays, you always asked how everyone was doing and to be honest we are really struggling with the lose of you!  My heart is broken and my mind refuses to comprehend I will never hear your voice or your laughter and the endless teasing.  Tim & I have been sharing so many stories which starts out with laughter but ends with tears.  I love you Gil and will miss you always! ❤️


We were pals.....We were partners
This one is hard to take.
He was a Pal....he was partner
He was the kids of friend that called you, a lot more times than you called him.
If he was in a bad mood, you'd never know it.
Here's the thing......When you were Gil's friend, you got his whole family with him.
Not a bad deal. And, he also became part of yours.
I can attest that if you had your own personal tragedy, you can be sure that Gil was going to be there to ease some of the pain.
I wish that I could be there for him.
I'm gonna' miss the phone calls, the gossip, the jokes, the BAD golf, and the sarcasm.
I feel so bad for his sisters, and mother, Like I said, you get the whole family.
In a word..........irreplaceable




The type of man that you hope your son turns out to be

Gil’s ability to make everyone feel special was a true representation of his heart. The endless jokes and humor were always a guarantee. The energy he brought to a room was special. To me, he’ll always be “Fred”. Thank you for all the laughs, contagious smiles, and love. You are missed and loved by so many. 

Gil with Bill, MJ (his Mom), Randy (brother), & big sis Cindy ❤️

Gil with his Mom and all of his sisters ❤️

Uncle Gil & I at my Graduation from Nursing School. ❤️

At Gil’s 60th. June cutting the cake & MJ loving on her boy. ❤️

Our brother Gil loved to tease and use his humor to keep us laughing. I will miss him texting a quick jab or calling to check in with a new joke!  He left such a gap in our family that there will always be the sense that someone’s missing.  I think we’ll have many signs that he’ll be with us though- reminders of fun times and his repertoire of jokes!! 
As my daughter reminded me,  
It’s going to take everyone some time. A hole that big doesn’t get smaller overnight.  Thankfully we have our memories, laughter and love for Gil to keep forever. ❤️

I will never forget all the poker games I learned from him. And the bonds of his entire family. And his generosity had no end. 

Great Friend always there for you !Love hem😘😘

Gil was like a big brother to many of us. I knew him from elementary school, but the fondest memories were our middle school years. A bunch of us hung out and Gil was there and kept us entertained. Not sure, but Gil may have tried to teach me to ride the moped, that I immediately crashed! The moped suffered more than me, and we laughed about that many times. My heart is heavy for all-friends and family. He will be deeply missed by all!

We loved to help out at the Clearwater Jazz festival each year. We always had a blast together. Loved his smile & warm heart. He is truly missed. RIP dear friend. 

We had such fun wit Gil and June in South Carolina. The supper clubs were the best. Always delicious menus with excellent choices in wine. Horse races were also a fun filled time with more food and drink. Gil had a beautiful smile that just made his face shine! We will miss him but we have great memories with both June and Gil. 
Brenda and John Morganelli❤️

Missing Gil’s laugher, sharp wit, and presence already.  It’s especially hard when you’ve never known the world without it and never met another person who comes close to Gil’s gifted way of “getting on a roll” with his humor.  June- thinking of you during this huge transition and loss, and sending you love.  Gil was an amazing Uncle.  Although as an Uncle he showed his love through gifting ring boxes with toenails that had fallen off inside them (gag), he mostly showed love through his presence- he showed up for those he loved.  If you had Gil as a son it meant that he held you on a pedestal his entire life and practically had hearts in his eyes when he looked at you, if you had Gil as a brother it meant that along with being one of his biggest sources of joke material you were a best friend & confidant from day one, if you had Gil as a Great Uncle/Uncle in his later years it meant that you had a special spot in his heart where he adored you just a little more than the OG nieces, if you had Gil as a cousin it meant that he held you in the highest regard and near or far he loved you deeply, if you had Gil as a friend you had a friend forever, as he truly cherished his connections.  In whatever capacity just know that you were such a huge part of his life.  In a big family with many big personalities The Hampton’s have always tended to have what I refer to as a “giant tape ball”- of friends who have become extended family.  Gil was responsible for many of these bonus family members.  Everyone feeling this huge loss, please know that you made an impact on my Uncle and if you ever shared a laugh or a glass of wine with him- he genuinely enjoyed you.  So thank you for that. Gil- Thank you for sharing your innate gifts with my children and I.  We will carry life forward with fond memories of you. I’ll love you forever Uncle Gil! 

It’s so hard to not be in complete disbelief when you hear of the passing of someone you’ve never not known a day in your life.  In fact, I can’t think of a single childhood memory, or adult memory for that matter, with the family where Gil’s bounding giggle wasn’t like another family member in the room. That’s the kind of presence his humor and “life of the party” spirit held in our family.  I learned early that Gil was not a man who could open up about feelings much, but as I grew older I witnessed his gift to the world was his presence.  Gil would show up, check in, uplift, and love in his own way that I grew to really appreciate.  And as I began to notice through the years, he had picked every card he gave to loved ones with fitting sentiments that said what he could not say but truly felt.  Gil loved people and loved being around life being lived to the fullest.  To me that will be his legacy.  The spirit of cherishing time together. He was an amazing Great Uncle to my kids- spreading those twisted jokes one generation further.  We love you forever Uncle Gil, and thank you for always showing up.  Your presence is irreplaceable and the void you left is already felt so deeply.  ❤️ 

Gil was my big brother and protector my whole life. It doesn’t feel right without him. As I’m sure June and all the family and friends are feeling. He was truly charged from time spent with everyone. The past few years of less contact really drained him. It’s hard watching hockey without his text or call. As I know football will be too. I could just think about him and the phone would ring. Always a joke or just an update on their week. His travels around the world were told with  such depth that I felt I had been there.  Can’t imagine him not with us. But I know he’s at peace overhead. Until we meet again.  

I am deeply saddened by the loss of my childhood friend, Gil. Growing up in Keene Forest all the neighborhood kids played together and were friends. Fifty Four years later Gil and I became reacquainted again through a group I formed in Facebook,  for our Largo Friends. We exchanged photos and reminisced  about our childhood days gone by. 
I’d like to extend my sincere condolences to Gil’s family for their loss. You will be in my prayers during this sad time. 

Connie O’Neal


I'm so sorry to hear of Gil's passing.  Praying that the Lord will give his family what they need during this difficult time.
Gil was a childhood friend from our Elementary School Days.  I'll always remember his good nature and distinct laugh.  
 

OBITUARY

Paul Gilford Hampton

April 3, 1954 – April 27, 2023

Serenity Funeral Home & Serenity Gardens Memorial Park

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services