Kent Bronson Hampton, former vice president and general counsel of Marathon Oil Co. passed away early Saturday, July 23, 2016. Born in Mattoon, Il in 1920, he grew up in Evanston. He graduated from ETHS in 1938, and from Grinnell College (Iowa) in 1942. He graduated from the Navy's OCS at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in 1943 and served in the Atlantic and Pacific theatres in WWII as a navigator aboard an amphibious craft and a destroyer escort. He earned a law degree from the University of Michigan in 1949. He joined the Ohio Oil Company (now Marathon Oil Co.) in 1951. His most notable accomplishment was to lead the legal team that thwarted Mobil Oil Co.'s attempted takeover of Marathon in 1981-82. Mr. Hampton first engaged in law practice in Charleston, IL in 1949. He was a member of the Illinois Bar Association for sixty years.

After retirement in 1983, Mr. Hampton served as counsel to various civic activities and charities. He also nourished and expanded his family's six-generation farm near Lerna, IL. Mr. Hampton was known for his dedication to work, his sense of humor, his low-key style, and his organized approach to life. He set very high expectations for himself and everyone around him. He was always a gentleman, respecting each individual. He was blessed with a long, full life.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Marilyn McCool Hampton of Findlay, OH, and originally from Freeport, IL. He is also survived by two children: April Ann Lehman (Richard E.) of Findlay, OH, & K F Hampton (Marilyn Jean) of Houston, TX; and three grandchildren: Ellen Elizabeth Hampton (Matthew Stiffler) of Evanston, IL, Whitney Brooke Lehman of London, England, and Ross Tremain Hampton of Mattoon, IL. His father, RC (Rocky) Hampton, was head coach of basketball, & assistant coach of football & baseball at ETHS for 28 years. Services have been held. Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer's Association . Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kirkpatrickbehnke.com.