Jack Stapleton- A good life

Anyone who ever had an opportunity to meet Jack Stapleton long enough to have a decent conversation came away from the encounter better informed, thanks to Stapleton's deep well of knowledge about Missouri government and how the state is managed in Jefferson City.

Stapleton was, above all else, deeply interested in the inner workings of our state and how it collected and spent taxpayers' money.

When death came this week to the 76-year-old Kennett, Mo., resident, the stream of columns about state government that Stapleton had produced over a long and energetic newspaper career came to an end. That is a terrific loss for Missouri's newspaper readers. There are few journalists around who have the depth of knowledge that comes from years of keeping up with the minute details of state bureaucracy and asking lots of questions.

Stapleton was highly regarded both in newspaper circles and among state officials. Newspaper editors and readers recognized the literate, formal writing style of Stapleton's columns. Officials admired his even-handedness and his desire to inform. Stapleton never berated. He was far more interested in seeking out facts that he could present to readers through newspapers -- and his own private newsletter -- all over Missouri, and then let Missourians come to their own conclusions.

Stapleton had deep newspaper roots. His father owned weekly newspapers in Stanberry and Albany in Northwest Missouri where, to this day, once-a-week newspapers in small towns remain both the backbone and the conscience of the communities they serve.

There was never any doubt that Stapleton was a rock-solid Democrat, which served him well when he moved to Kennett to take over the paper in a community -- and section of the state -- known for its common sense, fair play and strong values anchored by a tradition of conservative Democratic principles. Along with a handful of others, like former Gov. Warren Hearnes of Charleston, Stapleton represented the last -- and best -- of the practical Democrats who once had a lock on politics in most of Southeast Missouri and much of the state.

Stapleton sold his Kennett newspaper in 1989, but he never slowed down. He continued to make frequent trips to Jefferson City where he was welcomed into the offices of both Republican and Democratic politicians. He took on some part-time teaching duties at Southeast Missouri State University, where students could take advantage of his wealth of knowledge and wisdom about the workings of government in general and the affairs of this state in particular. He was, for countless reporters, editors and students of political science a walking encyclopedia of arcane information about Missouri.

Like most newspapermen of his generation, Stapleton also was an active participant in state government, giving most of his attention to the needs of the mentally ill. In later years, his background and understanding of mental-health issues was unsurpassed, and he was frequently sought out by those in charge of this part of state government.

Jack Stapleton and his gentlemanly charm will be sorely missed.