When Dexter City Administrator Mark Stidham passed away suddenly on December 30, 2020, after a month-long battle with COVID-19, he left behind a legacy of friendship, admiration, hard work, unsurpassed devotion to family and community, and laughter.
Former Dexter Mayor John Pruitt observes, “Mark will be difficult to replace. His commitment went beyond the day-to-day workplace. Most people don’t realize he was on the job 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whatever was going on in Dexter—Mark was there. He was always looking out for what needed to be done.”
Pruitt, who was mayor when the city administrator position was created 20 years ago continues, “You don’t get commitment like that from someone who is only in it for the salary. He was a wonderful guy and had a great heart for this community and the people who live here. We weren’t really friends when he took the job, but over the years we became good friends. I am going to miss him very much.”
City Clerk Crystal Bishop, who worked alongside the administrator for 20 years, recalls Stidham’s strong work ethic and commitment to those he served.
“When it came to business,” Bishop discloses, “Mark never made decisions lightly. He always took into consideration what was best for the town and the residents. Countless opportunities for growth and improvement were given to Dexter because of him.”
She goes on to add that the local community was not the only one to benefit from Stidham’s tireless efforts.
“He worked on the state and federal levels for both Dexter and Southeast Missouri,” Bishop continues. “Mark believed that if the Southeast region thrived, so would Dexter and the surrounding communities.”
Kendra Williams, city treasurer, worked with Stidham for 17 years. She remembers Stidham’s calm demeanor and caring personality.
“Mark had amazing patience, and was able to keep calm even when dealing with the most difficult people,” Williams recalls. “I don’t know how he was able to stay so cool. If he walked in on any of us complaining, or getting fired up with each other, he would tell us we just needed to roll with it.”
“When you work together as long and as closely as we did, your coworkers become like family,” Williams observes. “Mark took a personal interest in all of us. He often commented that he had watched my children grow up, and would ask how my son was doing in college, and about my daughter’s plans after high school graduation this spring.”
City Collector Crystal Allstun, who, like Bishop has been with Stidham throughout his administrative career, also cites Stidham’s hard work and devotion to his community.
“I know others will speak to Mark’s work as city administrator and his service on various boards and committees,” Allstun observes. “For me, personally, I will remember his sense of humor. Mark was a jokester! He always had a joke or a comeback to make people laugh. I was amazed at his knack for impersonating peoples’ voices.”
Bishop also appreciated Stidham’s comedic side.
“His one-liners and jokes were never ending,” Bishop recalls. “There were many times we would find ourselves gathered outside our offices talking, laughing, and picking on each other.”
Assistant Collector, Melissa Wright, adds that Stidham’s sense of humor kept the office staff laughing and on their toes.
“I have been here ten years,” Wright explains, “and Mark’s sense of humor is what I loved most about him. He was always laughing—and singing. We would say something that triggered a memory of a song, and he would just start singing.”
Wright continues, “It’s going to be hard to be here without him. I’ll miss his laughter.”
As city administrator, Stidham oversaw various departments in the city and met weekly with the department heads. Police Chief Trevor Pulley remembers Stidham, not only as a man of strong ethics and moral character, but also a man of religious faith and family values.
“I worked with Mark on a daily basis,” Pulley discloses, “and I could tell that he was a man of moral, ethical, and Christian convictions. He would talk about his family and how much he enjoyed his family time.”
Pulley goes on to say, “He was a man of God and that was seen in all aspects of his life. I, and the city of Dexter, will greatly miss his guidance and friendship.”
Dexter Mayor Jason Banken also worked closely with Stidham.
“What Mark has done for the city of Dexter is remarkable,” Banken asserts. “Dexter is better because of his twenty years of tireless and selfless work on our behalf. He leaves a void that will be difficult to fill.”
Bishop’s final observation, captures the spirit of optimism and confidence that marked the administration of Mark Stidham.
“Mark loved our city family and his door was always open to us,” Bishop reflects. “He listened, encouraged, and trusted our judgment on everyday issues. He was more than our boss, he was our friend, and our city family will work together to continue the work Mark started so many years ago.”
Stidham was married to the former Debbie Miller of Dexter. They have two sons. Brent Stidham and his wife Lauren live in Dexter, and Jim Scherer and his two daughters reside in Redington Shore, FL.