NORTH OGDEN, Utah -- It has been four months since Cyndi and Steve Hampton’s son, David, left their home in North Ogden to serve a mission in Taiwan for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“He just knew he was supposed to be on a mission. That’s what he was supposed to be doing and it was really the only thing he cared about,” Cyndi Hampton said.
Eighteen-year-old David Hampton died Tuesday after being hit by car while riding his bike.
David Hampton’s parents said they got the call about 5:30 a.m. from his mission president saying their son had been in a serious accident.
The mission president told the Hamptons that David Hampton’s foot slipped off the pedal as he was standing up on his bike, which tipped him over into traffic.
“It’s tragic, we feel so sorry for the driver and his family and the grief they must feel,” Cyndi Hampton said.
Valedictorian and student body president of his high school, David Hampton turned down a four-year full ride scholarship to serve a mission.
“He had a more important cause in his life and that’s what he wanted to do and it’s all he wanted to do,” Cyndi Hampton said.
His parents say David Hampton was thrilled when he opened his call to serve in the Taiwan Taichung mission.
“When he gave his farewell he actually gave his testimony in Mandarin,” Cyndi Hampton said. “Now we’re really glad because it’s kind of like he gave his homecoming when he gave his farewell.”
Despite the devastating loss, the Hamptons say they know they will see their son again.
“People might think it’s so sad, his life is cut short and his life has been ruined. His life hasn’t been ruined he had a great life here on earth and he’s going to have a great life in the afterlife,” Cyndi Hampton said.
David Hampton’s sister who is serving a mission in Tahiti, has four weeks left but is expected to come home early.
Now the LDS Church along with Sen. Orrin Hatch are working on arrangements to bring David Hampton’s body back to Utah.
The Hampton’s also expressed thanks to their son’s mission companion, Elder Quist from Payson, who they say gave him a priesthood blessing while they waited for help.
