In Memory

John Michael "Mike" Dempster VIEW PROFILE

John Michael Mike Dempster

Dempster, John Michael

John Michael Dempster
Aug. 12, 1952 - Dec. 14, 2001
NLRHS Class of 1970

Mike Dempster, 49, of Camden died Dec. 14, 2001. He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. George Dempster. He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church of Camden and a Shelter Insurance agent.

Survivors include: His wife, Maryetta Dempster of Camden; a son, John Dempster of North Little Rock; two daughters, Jennifer Dempster and Kimberly Dempster of Arkadelpiha; a stepson, Jamie Sharp of Hot Springs; a stepdaughter, Sonya Sharp of Camden; three brothers, George Dempster of Dallas, Texas, Robert Dempster of North Little Rock and Thomas Dempster of San Francisco, Calif.; and a sister, Suzy Shackleford of Bee Branch.

Funeral was today at Immanuel Baptist Church in Camden. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Proctor Funeral Home.

Burial: Memorial Park Cemetery
Camden, Ouachita, Arkansas, USA

 



 
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07/18/21 07:08 PM #1    

Thomas E. Jr Shuffield

Mike was a real "character" ... I liked Mike, although I had few classes with him ... we were in homeroom together one year at Rigeroad Jr. High, and got to know him a bit ... I remember that he brought his "lucky stick" to school on report card day, praying that he would made the Honor Roll that six weeks ... He did!

We were in Band together ... Mike played French Horn.  I think he was pretty good (first chair?) ... but on one trip for a State Band Contest, if memory serves, he showed up for the performance, suspected possibly slightly "tipsy" (???) ... so, we settled down to play the concert and along came a stray dog on stage and we waited while it was chased away.  All of this made our conductor, Raymond Brandon quite nervous.  As Mr. Brandon raised his baton, he lost his grip and launched it into the row of flute players!  The concert went well, including the French Horns and we scored well in the contest.

In those days, we went to Hot Springs all day for solo and ensemble contests and later the entire Band performed.  Being loose and free and away from home for the better part of the day, ocassionally got many of us into trouble, lost or late.   Nowadays, I think State Band Contest is no more, and Bands wishing to compete in Region Contests have to take extended lunch breaks to barely squeek in the time to participate.

Gosh, it seems that our time lines get compressed terribly as we age ... I feel that I could return to my 50 year old past and all would be the same ... same people, same buildings, same everything ... I miss it terribly!  As you grow up, pay attention and soak in life experiences.  Savor every moment.

Rest in peace, Mike!  We miss you.


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