Mike Hampton
Photograph of Mike and Jacqueline Hampton, courtesy of Juan Moreno Haines, obtained from an article by Juan published in the San Quentin News in August 2014.
By Juan Moreno Haines
Mike’s good friend
After COVID-19-infected people were transferred from California Institute for Men to San Quentin State Prison, early June 2020, a California appeals court called prison officials’ response “morally indefensible and reckless.” The bungled transfer created an ongoing crisis at San Quentin where two men continue to be locked inside 4-foot by 10-foot cells for more than 23 hours a day—still, more than three-quarters of the prison population became infected by the virus and 28 died. Michael Hampton was one of the casualties.
Hampton’s North Block friends honor and remember his faithfulness, kindness, and love for his wife, Jackie.
“Mike and I have been in ministry together here at the Garden Chapel under Mardi Ralph Jackson for about eight years,” Dwight Kennedy, 46, said. Kennedy has known Hampton about 10 years. “We labored together. We ate together. We shared together. Man, we prayed together.”
Other North Block residents talked about meeting Hampton and his influence on their lives.
“Mike was an encouragement to me. He consistently supported and pushed me to step out of my comfort zone,” said Armando Ruben Gonzalez, 44.
Gonzalez said he met Hampton September 2018.
“Ever since then, Mike made it a point to tell me that he believed I was called to preach,” Gonzalez said. “He would call me, ‘Hey you, mighty man of God!’ and pour love into me to build up my faith.”
Carrington Russelle, 35, added, “From the time I got to San Quentin, Mike embraced me with open arms. He was always a joy to be around and always had encouraging words for me as for all the younger brothers in the church.”
Russelle said he’s known Hampton since September 2018.
“I didn’t know Mike that long, but when I came to this prison, he was one of the guys that embraced me with a lot of Godly love,” said Shawn Rankin, 53. “I knew at once he was a Christian. As I got to know him, he became a good brother to talk to about the lord.”
Clifford “Bishop” Dobbins, 63, said he’s known Hampton for about 20 of the 23 years of his incarceration.
“Mike Hampton was a very special, greatly beloved bro in Christ and friend of mine,” Dobbins said.
Lorenzo Romero, 58, said, “We belong to the same ministry. We were always striving to become better persons. One of the things he would always tell me was trust God in everything, even in your relationships.” Romero said he’s known Hampton for 19 years.
It was common knowledge by all Hampton’s friends, the love of his wife, Jackie.
“If you ever wanted to find Mike, all you had to do is go to the phones and you could find him talking to his wife,” Rankin said. “One day, I was waiting for my phone call and Mike was already on the phone. He asked me to come over to him and he put the phone to my ear. His wife was praying for the whole prison. That’s something I’ll never forget - him and his wife have lots of love for the brothers.”
Russelle said, “Mike enjoyed going to church, fellowshipping with his brothers, but I saw him happiest in visiting with his wife.”
Gonzalez said, “Big Mike - he loved, loved, respected and was so grateful for his wife.” He reminisced, “Prison marriage has its own set of challenges, so I appreciate being able to go to Mike for counsel concerning my own marriage - he was never too busy and always kept it real with me, including calling me on my part in disagreements with my wife.”
Hampton’s friends remembered what brought joy to his life.
Lee H. Smothers, Jr., 57, said he’s known Hampton about three months.
“Everyone that knows Mike, know how much he loved his wife, Jackie, but he was also a die-hard Steelers fan,” Smothers said. “He was truly a blessing and knowing him made me a better person. I love and miss him very much.”
Dobbins said, “He loved to eat. He loved his precious sis Jackie. He loved his P-i-i-i-sberg Steelers, dearly. He loved his entire extended family.”
Kennedy said, “Man, he would always talk about his wife, Jackie. Then his dogs (pit bulls). Also, he liked birds. I remember him talking about how he raised and rolled birds (pigeons).”
Romero said, “He loved to eat. He loved the body of Christ. He loved everything that God had to offer him. He wasn’t concerned about the world’s values anymore.”
Hampton’s faith stood out among the men in North Block.
Gonzalez said, “Whenever I had the privilege to hear Mike speak, whether it was from the Garden Chapel pulpit, in his self-help groups or just hanging out, I appreciated his authenticity and wisdom.” He added, “I have seen Mike Hampton cry and pray with men he barely knew. He was an example for me of how powerful vulnerability is in masculinity and I am grateful to have met him.”
Russelle said, “Mike truly had a servant’s heart. Anytime someone was in need, myself included, he would not hesitate to come to their aid.”
Rankin said, “Mike was good at knowing the Word of God and the boy could preach the Word of God as well. The boy brought me to tears one day.”
Dobbins said, “I’ll be forever reminded of his benevolence for his fellow man, which resided in his heart. He added, “Over the many years of a friendship, I watched, I observed, I truly marveled at the wondrous work of God in his life. Mike Hampton finished the race with a thankful runner’s kick. This I know!”
Kennedy said, “What’s special about Mike is his heart to love all people no matter what. I believe what was special about Mike that would surprise people is how God would use him to deliver a message.” He added, “I would like to say that I miss Mike and I pray that his family will have peace from God. Knowing that he is absent in the body, but present with the Lord.”
Gonzalez closed by saying, “Mike was about to go to his parole board hearing and was excited about the prospect of going home to be with his wife. I was excited for him. The brothers in here are praying for Mrs. Hampton and I hope that somehow she might find comfort in our testimonies about her best friend.”
Regarding Michael
By Michael Calvin Holmes
A few months into the pandemic and just weeks before “that day.” June 23...there was a gleam in his eyes. Michael Hampton was looking forward to a new life. He was excited about the prospect of getting out of prison and spending time with his wife of six years.
Michael was anxious because his board date was scheduled for August. At the time, that was just two months away. There was a good chance of him being found suitable for parole.
Just weeks before “that day,” Michael got up early every morning, and made himself a large cup of folgers, with French - Vanilla creamer and sweetener. Our cell smelled like grama’s kitchen when she baked cookies. When he finished, the husky porter headed out to help where ever he was needed.
However, what was at the front burner of his daily agenda was his quotidian phone calls to his wife. Her support meant everything to him. She was the single most important person in his life.
Some would argue that she had become his obsession or even his addiction, but however you wanted to define their relationship, the one thing for sure, was that she was a big influence. Hell...she even convinced Michael to become a republican. In spite of this causing some heated debates between us, you really couldn’t hold anything against her. She inspired Michael to be a better person.
As “that day” approached, Michael stood tall, his eyes opened wide, and with conviction he spoke honestly about his character defects. He had secrets that many people would take to their graves. Secrets that I will never reveal.
Michael spent his weekends at church. He had aspirations of becoming a street Minister. He believed that because of his background, that he would be able to relate to anyone without judging them. Even someone whose an atheist, like me.
Just days before “that day,” Michael wasn’t getting up as early as he use to. The gleam in his eyes was now dulled and there was a slight lean in his posture. And he was coughing profusely. Soon he lost his appetite.
Michael kept trudging through work. But what was still most important to him, was that he never missed a call to his wife.
Just hours before “that day,” I had to finally admit that I was sick, as well. However, by this time Michael andI had been up for the most part of three days, fading in and out of sleep. Michael slept in a sitting position because it was difficult for him to breathe, he labored for each breathe between his coughing.
“That day,” June 23...they decided to send me to quarantine. As I was leaving, Michael smiled as to reassure me. He then said, “In a minute brother, take care of yourself - God Bless!”
“That day,” was the last time I ever saw Michael Hampton alive!
This memorial was transcribed by MOL team member, Caroline Harlow.
From Mourning Our Losses:
In August 2014, Mike and Jacqueline Hampton were married in a joyful ceremony in San Quentin, California. In an article written by his friend Juan Haines for the San Quentin News, Mike said Jacqueline was “‘the best thing that’s happened in my life.’” Six years later and many years too soon, Mike’s life was taken by the COVID-19 virus, which has infected thousands of people inside San Quentin State Prison.
Mike was in his late 50s to early 60s and hailed from Long Beach, California, according to his friend Eric Phillips. He was a devoted husband and a man of faith. Eric remembers that Mike “was a church elder in the San Quentin Garden Chapel, a devout Christian. He lived by the Word of God, and never hesitated to let people know about Jesus Christ and what Jesus did for him.”
People took comfort in Mike’s calm and encouraging presence. For example, a kitchen coworker remembered when he and Mike were assigned to inventory a large truck. Mike took his overwhelmed friend aside and told him to take his time and breathe. That coworker told the Ear Hustle podcast, “[Mike] was just there for me, man.”
In addition to his work in the kitchen, Mike learned the tools of the construction trade while incarcerated. Under the guidance of Wendell Forest, another San Quentin resident, he became adept at framing, fencing, cement finishing, and demolition.
Before the pandemic, Mike looked forward to being released and living freely with his wife. His friend Vincent E. O’Bannon shared this message: “Mike, you and I were ecstatic about getting out of prison under California’s Proposition 57 Law. Our wives were excited, our families were ready, and our minds were set… Who could have predicted it would be something other than the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation that would shatter our family’s world?”
Mike passed away on September 25, 2020 after a months-long battle with COVID-19. His passing reverberates in the lives of those who knew him. “It saddens me that you are no longer here,” Vincent writes. “I thought we had time to pursue and accomplish our personal goals. I thought we had time to laugh together outside of these prison walls. I know we will see each other again.”
This part of the memorial was compiled by MOL team member Abby Steckel with submissions from Eric Phillips and Vincent E. O’Bannon, and with information from Juan Haines and JulianGlenn Padgett of the San Quentin News and Rahsaan “New York” Thomas, Nigel Poor, and Earlonne Woods of Ear Hustle.