Under a cloudless blue sky and a setting sun, thrilled at having landed a gorgeous string of rainbow trout, John David Compton, walked to his chair by the bank of the Rockbridge Rainbow Trout and Game Ranch (MO) stream, and quietly passed away.  He was surrounded by Ann Dryden Compton, his loving wife of 13 years, and Mason, one of their three slightly spoiled Standard Poodles. He was 69 years old.

Few individuals are blessed to leave this earth at a place they enjoyed so much. Having waged a valiant battle with congestive heart failure for more than three years, John's last hours were full of happiness in the middle of a stream perfect for dry fly fishing. He was fascinated by the sport, tying his own flies, and even crafting a prototype of a bamboo fly rod.

From childhood, John always excelled in whatever he undertook. He did well in school, hobbies, and professional work. He learned skills and work ethic while spending summers on the family farm which was located just south of Springfield. His desire to serve in the military was thwarted due to a farm-related injury that he suffered at age 16.

He attended Sunshine School, Jarrett Junior High, and graduated from Parkview High School in 1965. John earned his Eagle Scout Badge with two Palms, God & Country (Episcopal), Order of the Arrow, and attended the 1960 Boy Scout Jamboree in Colorado Springs with a side trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, NM.

He was a direct descendant of Myles Standish, captain of the Mayflower. He was a member of the Mayflower Society, the Missouri Historical Society, and the Springfield History Museum.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph Compton, Jr of born in Marionville, MO, a businessman and realtor, who served as an aerial engineer and top turret gunner in the lead crew, 8th Army Air Corps, 457th Bomb Group; and Clara Eleanor Wade of Marshfield, MO, educated at Columbia University later becoming a part of the war effort by becoming a designer/drafter at the Edgewood Army Arsenal in Edgewood, MD. The couple met on a troop train after war's end, and were later married.

John belonged to Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity while attending Drury College (now Drury University), remaining close to many of his brothers with whom he shared "adventures." John graduated from Southwest Missouri State University (MSU) with honors, and then received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri at Kansas City.

Upon graduation he was immediately hired and mentored by Flavius Freeman and Paul L. Bradshaw. He left the firm several years later opening his own practice, continuing his work until the day he passed. His love of the Law and the  protection it brings to all citizens distinguished him in the courtroom. He was a member of the Missouri Bar, Greene County Bar Association, and also admitted to practice at the US Supreme Court. He appreciated the trust granted to him by his clients, working tirelessly to represent them in a professional manner.

John served on the Executive Committee of the Greene County Republican Party, including his role as parliamentarian for various caucuses. His commanding voice and courteous demeanor assisted difficult issues to move smoothly throughout the legislative process.

A member of the Episcopal Church, John converted to the Roman Catholic Church at St. Agnes Cathedral on November 17, 2004, assisted by the Reverend Michael McDevitt and Monsignor John Westhues. Later with his wife Ann, he became an active member of Springfield, Missouri's Immaculate Conception Church. John especially enjoyed participating in the liturgy as a Lector proclaiming the Old and New Testament. Most recently, he became a Eucharistic Minister, assisting the faithful receive the Body and Blood of Christ. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

During earlier years, he enjoyed scuba diving and horseback riding, and won archery and match pistol tournaments. Later, John enjoyed trap and skeet shooting at Springfield Rod & Gun Club, where he served two terms as president, and gladly accepted other leadership positions.

In addition of his sport of fly fishing and shooting, John was also accomplished in martial arts, earning a black belt in the Korean Martial Art of Hapkido, as a student of Master Choi Kwan. He also studied the art of Tai Chi, as a student of Neil Nathan, MD.

John loved to spend time in his shop, finessing his gun smithing. He was also a fine woodworker, creating design quality pieces that fit into elegant settings. He was a member of several on line communities devoted to fine woodworking including the Greene and Greene Arts and Crafts Community and "Lumberjocks."

With his wife, Virginia Davidson Compton, who passed away in 2002, he had three children. Son John David II and granddaughter Virginia (Columbia, MO); son Myles, wife Kacey and granddaughter Finley (Madison, AL) and daughter Emily Compton LeBeau, husband Brad, and grandsons Lucas and Logan (Baton Rouge, LA.)  He is also survived by his brother Jerome and wife Patricia (Springfield, MO,) nephew John Andrew and Melinda (Springfield, MO), nieces Kristen Cleek and husband Aaron (Hollister, MO), Dr. Angela Kreiser and husband Daniel (Fort Pierce, FL), and Lesley Maupin and husband Corby (out of country in military service), along with their children: numerous grand-nephews, grand-nieces; and cousins.

His marriage to Ann on New Year's Eve 2002 at Lake of the Ozarks quickly expanded his family as well: Sister and Brother in Law Mary and Joe Koenig (Harrison, AR); Cousins Patsy and Howard Franques (Lafayette, LA); Sharon Franques Grebe (Lafayette, LA); Jane and Allen Johnson (Tulsa, OK) and their respective families, along with many others. He savored the southwest Louisiana culture as much as he was proud to be a resilient, true hillbilly-a self-reliant, country loving, and faith filled individual.

After his Great Danes and English Mastiff Gus passed, John finally embraced the Standard Poodles Ann loved so much, appreciating their athleticism, intelligence and personality. They both became active in Standard Poodle Rescue. He leaves behind Boudreaux, Mason, and Pippa Jane who continue to wait for him to come home.

Among his professional colleagues, several stand out as honored advisors and friends: Attorneys Mark and Art Haseltine; Stephen Stewart; Rick Muenks; Mark Maddux; and assistant Sara Davis. Their company, professionalism, and humor made John's practice truly enjoyable.

The family expresses sincere gratitude to the medical professionals who kept John in good spirits and health, even with the challenging diagnosis: Adult Medicine Specialist Dr. Steven Atwood and staff; Cardiologist Dr. Danny Penick, Roxanne Mikesh, FNP; Marcy Bot Baron, ANP, her assistant Paula; CoxHealth's Dr. Anees Afroze, Dr. Aparna Cherla, Dr. Mitchell Ahrens. Also thanks to the incredible CoxHealth ER, ICU, Step Down, and 8th Floor Units, as well as his taskmasters at Cardiac Rehab: he earned extra days on this earth because of their care. The family also wishes to thank Lawrence Drug, Ken, Patty and Brooke, along with their staff for assisting in keeping medications well organized

On Thursday, September 8, the Birthday of Mary our Blessed Mother, visitation will begin at 10 a.m. in the Gathering Space at Immaculate Conception Church, 3555 South Fremont.  Following at 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary, IC's pastor, the Reverend Tom Keifer will concelebrate the Mass celebrating John's life with the Reverend Rahab Isidor, Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Webb City and close family friend. John appreciated the pastoral care team from Immaculate Conception including Father Chaz Dunn, Father Mark and Sharon Weidelman. He also enjoyed seeing Monsignor Ray Orf and Father Gregory Tran who brought communion and good company. Interment will be at 2 p.m. at Hazelwood Cemetery at the Compton Family Plot, 1650 East Seminole.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for consideration to:

Heart of America Poodle Rescue, c/o Melissa Frink Bass-Founder and Executive Director, 90 Killarney Lane, Moscow Mills MO 63362 or, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, c/o Reverend Tom Keifer, 3555 South Fremont, Springfield, MO 65804. Both are tax deductible.

The family also wishes to thank Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home; the Rockbridge Brixey Fire Department and First Responders; the Ozark County EMTs, and the Management and Staff of the Rockbridge Trout and Game Preserve for their kind and gracious assistance.

To all who knew John, know you were appreciated and treasured.