John Emmit Stapleton III

1934 - 2021

John Emmit Stapleton III
Oct. 12, 1934 - Oct. 14, 2021
John E. Stapleton III died peacefully at home under the care of Hometown Homecare Hospice, surrounded by family on Oct. 14, 2021. He was born in Fayette, MO on Oct. 12, 1934 and spent his formative years in Fayette and in Alexandria, VA. He attended Kemper Military School in Boonville, attended Boys State and graduated from Fayette High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO and obtained a master's degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia. Following his education, John served in the military and then began his ten-year teaching career at the Hazelwood School District in St. Louis. John's interest in history and people led him to travel to Africa on a Fulbright Scholarship and then to Denmark where he continued his studies. He would eventually return to the family farm in Fayette, where he cultivated his piece of paradise. John was many things including a husband, father, teacher, farmer, mayor of Fayette, public administrator for Howard County, brick mason, building contractor, high-ranking member of the Four Thirty Crowd and a stranger to no one. Many of his brickworks can be seen around Fayette and Howard County.
John is survived by his wife of 45 years, Gwen Stapleton, daughters, Ann Stapleton (Bob Bryden) Wilmington, NC, Amy Stapleton (Andy Hahn) Fayette, MO, Angela Stapleton (Dan Shelton) Portland, OR, Andrea Stapleton (Holland Hendershot) Eugene, OR and son, John E. Stapleton IV (Tiffany Eckert) Eugene, OR and grandsons John E. Stapleton V, Max and Emmit Hendershot all from Eugene, OR. He is also survived by his sisters Ceile Nitkiewicz, Farmington, MI and Marylee Field (Brad Field) Wilmington, NC. He was preceded in death by his father John E. Stapleton Jr., his mother Lucille Stapleton and his step-mother Elizabeth Stapleton.
John lived a wonderful life and will be missed by many. He donated his body to the University Medical School (still the teacher!). In accordance with his wishes, there will be no service.