Goodrich- The ‘old? Goodrich reunited to say farewell to George ‘Sonny? Hempton this week.
On Nov. 3, Swartz Funeral Home brimmed with family, friends, tears, and memories, said his sister Lois Bouck.
Sonny died Oct. 30. He was 72.
‘It was like Goodrich used to be, when you invited everybody to a party because you knew just about everybody,? Lois said.
Lois was 12 years younger than Sonny, or ‘Sonny Bunny? as she affectionately called him.
‘I’m his baby sister. We were best friends,? she said.
Sonny, born June 2, 1932 in Flint to the Rev. George and Lula Hempton, moved to Goodrich as a young boy. The second of five children, he was active in high school football and track.
‘He was a good running back who scored a lot of touchdowns,? said his son, Kevin Hempton. Sonny’s track record was unmatched in Genesee County for 14 years; he held the school record for decades afterward.
Sonny and the football team also helped the family build the Goodrich Assembly of God Church on the banks of the Goodrich Mill Pond. His father served as the first pastor of the church.
After graduating from Goodrich High School, Sonny joined the U.S. Army in 1954 and was stationed at Fort Eustis and Newport News, Va. during the Korean War until being honorably discharged in 1956, said his wife, Pat Hempton.
Local builder Joel Stimson, who was asked to be a pallbearer for Sonny, was close to him for more than 50 years.
‘We were both from the Goodrich area. I knew his dad and mother,? Stimson said.
‘We were just a bunch of guys from Goodrich that ran around together. We double-dated before we were married, married two girls from Davison High School. We were in each other’s weddings, and deer-hunted for 40 years.?
Stimson and Sonny, ‘young guys with nothing, who kind of scratched? for a living started businesses in the area.
Sonny partnered with Dale Springsteen; his wife Pat worked in the office of their auto body repair business, Hempton’s Body Shop in downtown Goodrich.
After Pat retired, their daughter Julie Kilbourne took over the office.
Kevin worked alongside his father, who taught him his trade. It was Sonny’s friendly style, humble demeanor, and soft spot for young people that earned him a place in the heart of the Goodrich community.
‘He helped pull kids in school out of ditches, and not tell their parents,’said Lois.
‘Sonny was kind of an icon in this community for years,? said Ralph ‘Pete? Morey, who often golfed at the Goodrich Country Club with him.
‘He had a habit of being a little late for the golf league’when somebody needed something, he’d drop whatever he was doing. He gave his time.?
Children who moved to the community, newspaper carriers, and young men who brought their first cars to Sonny would stop by the garage to reminisce, said Kevin, whose father also taught a number of co-op students their trade.
‘That was probably something he was really proud of,? said Kevin. ‘Guys came in when they were 16, and came back in their 50s. Some retired before he did, that kind of bothered him.?
When pheasants were plentiful, downtown motorists would notice the garage closed the first day of pheasant season, as hunting was a favorite hobby. The shop would close up for bass fishing too, said Kevin.
But family took priority, said Pat.
‘He loved all of his family, worried about all his brothers, sisters, kids, me, and everyone more than himself,? she said.
Sonny’s support for family and friends was repeatedly echoed through the community this week.
‘He liked to support all the local businesses, and felt pride for the town,’said Stimson.
‘No matter what you did he was in your corner,? said his brother, Jim Hempton, who recalls Sonny campaigning for him before he was voted in as former Atlas Township supervisor.
‘He was always trying to recruit people to vote for you, just everybody he talked to. He was always promoting (family-owned Jan’s) Sport Shop too.?
While disagreements between Kevin and his dad were minor, it wasn’t in Sonny’s character to hold a grudge.
‘He always settled before he turned in for the night. That was kind of the way he did things,? said Kevin.
‘My dad was my best friend. I learned a lot from him in the last few weeks, about his friends, and about the care and respect they had for him.?
Sonny, a Michigan and Detroit Lions fan, retained a love for sports throughout his life, playing on softball leagues until his 40s.
He frequently attended his granddaughters? track and basketball events, and quietly supported the boosters.
‘Sonny was a good guy,? said Goodrich Schools Athletic Director Al Martus. ‘Very friendly and supportive of everything, and caring.?
Despite health problems, Sonny wanted to see the Goodrich football team in the Oct. 29 opening round of the Division 5 state playoffs. The family called athletic director Al Martus, requesting special permission to drive him close to the action.
But Sonny’s health was failing fast, said Lois; he couldn’t attend.
Instead, the game was dedicated to Sonny, inspiring the Martians? record-setting 42-7 win over Livonia Clarenceville.
The family considers themselves blessed, said Lois.
His older sister Lola Hofacer, brothers Dan and Jim Hempton, and sister Lois were thankful Sonny could spend his last hours together with his family.
‘The five of us were in his room at the hospital,? said Lois.
‘Of course, Sonny had to go to heaven first.?
‘Jimmy said, ‘Lois, he beat us again.??
Contributions may be made to the Goodrich Athletic Boosters.