Dr. Michael Nicholas Compton

Dr. Michael Nicholas Compton of Fayetteville, Ark., and Springfield, Mo., entered into glory when he died on Nov. 29, 2014, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. Born April 26, 1948, in Springfield, his parents were H.C. "Mike" Compton and Bonnie. Michael graduated from Chippewa Secondary School, North Bay, Ontario, Canada, in 1966, and went on to obtain an undergraduate degree in sociology and a graduate degree in history from Southwest Missouri State College in 1971. He received his EdD in education from the University of Arkansas in 1973, and afterwards had a long and influential career as the associate dean of students at the University of South Carolina, youth pastor at University Baptist Church in Fayetteville, director of Washington County Juvenile Court and Child Support and Enforcement, dean of students at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo., college pastor at First Baptist Church in Moore, Okla., founder and executive director of Lightbearers Ministries, owner and operator of a dog care facility in Bentonville, Ark., associate dean and professor of English at African International University in the Gambia, West Africa, and the chapter director of Sigma Pi Fraternity, Alpha Rho Chapter, at Missouri State University. Michael was a member of New Heights Church in Fayetteville, and was a gifted Bible teacher, mentor and missionary zealot. He loved animals and worked tirelessly for their humane treatment and rescue. He will always be remembered for his quick wit, love of books and ability to converse with anyone. Michael was predeceased by his parents; his biological father, Raymond West; his brother, Chris Compton; his aunt, Frances Weiser Savage; his maternal grandparents, Wava Lee and Alfred N. (Bud) Weiser (who inspired his love of reading); and fraternal grandparents, Louis M. and Ruth Compton. He is survived by his adopted sons, Wayne Scott of Dallas, Texas, and Dr. Bill Scott of Dardanelle, Ark.; his loving sister, Deb Compton Jackson and her husband, Doug, of Dillon, Colo., their daughters, Emily Jackson, Andrea Jackson, Kelly Jackson King, her husband, Adam, and their son, Asher; and his beloved dogs, Nellie and Gigi. Visitation will be held Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, at 1 p.m. in the funeral home. A funeral service will be held Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, at 2 p.m. in University Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Ark., followed by burial at Fairview Memorial Gardens, Fayetteville, Ark. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to New Heights Church, P.O. Box 8668, Fayetteville AR 72703; or the Prairie Grove Pound in Prairie Grove, Ark.; or the Fayetteville Animal Shelter in Fayetteville, Ark.