A former Texas County public servant has died during an overseas hunting trip.
Mark Hampton of Summersville, who succumbed after a health-related emergency, was 68.
Mr. Hampton was a longtime fixture at Summersville School District, a former state representative first elected in 1998 and previously served as a trustee of Texas County Memorial Hospital.
An avid hunter of exotic animals, Mr. Hampton began teaching at Summersville in 1979 and spent a total of 23 years working in the district as a teacher, coach, athletic director and high school principal before finishing as superintendent before his retirement. His wife, Karen, is a retired educator. His late father, Lavere, was Summersville’s doctor before retiring in 1981.
Mr. Hampton twice left education for other employment fields, working for several years with the Missouri State Water Patrol at the Lake of the Ozarks and as 147th District state representative.
Hampton’s love of mountain hunting is documented in the pages of a book he wrote, “Addicted to Altitude; Confessions of a Mountain Hunter.” It chronicles in narrative style his experiences going after game at high elevation.
Services are incomplete.
Mark Hampton was a great and good man…and my dear friend. I am overwhelmed by this loss…to our community, to his church, to his friends, and to his family. I am praying for them. I will miss Mark intensely, but am so thankful for all he put into my life.
I met Mark and Karen at a GSCO convention many years ago. They were always so friendly, sharing, and down to earth and eager to help me. I was a budding author and had read his excellent book, “Addicted to Altitude “. Mark was very kind and shared his experiences and expertise and encouraged me to keep writing, and helped me promote my book when it was published. RIP Mark, my prayers are with Karen and your many friends in the hunting world.
Mark was one of the nicest most genuine people I’ve ever known. He never failed to speak and have a conversation when I would see him at various hunting conventions. I will miss him very much! Prayers for his family 🙏
Here was a great, great man…one who I will always be proud to say that he was my friend.
He always called me “Sunshine”! We had a great relationship as client and travel agent for many years. Mark and Karen became good friends and Mark will certainly be greatly missed. He was a gentleman in the finest sense of the word. Godspeed Mark.
Just learned of this, so sorry to hear about my long time Friend. We hunted together many times years ago. Such a great person! I would have came to the funeral, but just learned about this in the SCI news. My heart goes out to Karen and family. My God bless you all and help you thru this. Kim Shira, Baxter Springs Ks.