Mark Staples

One of Montana’s favorite singers and composers and a longtime attorney and lobbyist, Butte native Mark Charles Staples passed away Feb. 20 at his home in Missoula. He was 75.

Mark released four albums, sold out concert halls region-wide, and wrote songs for Bobby Vinton, Johnny Mathis, Nicolette Larson, the Montana Band and many more. “When Montana Sings,” the featured song in a musical he wrote about life in rural Montana, became a regional hit and Montana’s tourism anthem for eight years. In addition, the University of Montana’s Montana Repertory Theatre toured the musical regionally.

He also won state and regional crowns in the Wrangler Country Showdown, a popular national country-music talent competition, in the early 1980s. He finished in the top five nationally. Mark also lived in Los Angeles for three years to write songs with star composer Roger Nichols.

Mark performed as a convention entertainer nationwide for 20 years, but he especially enjoyed performing holiday concerts at the Mother Lode Theatre in his hometown Butte. The “Mining City Christmas” song and “Lady of the Rockies” hymn, both written by Staples, were popular around Montana, but especially in Butte.

Mark began his law career as deputy attorney for Pondera County in Conrad, MT, for eight years and operated a private law practice in Helena for 35 years. He also earned a reputation as a strong and dedicated lobbyist working for the Montana Tavern Association for 25 years. He was appointed by Gov. Judy Martz to Montana Board of Banking and was later appointed by Gov. Steve Bullock to serve as a chairman on the Montana Board of Pardon and Parole.

He was born June 30, 1949, in St. Louis, MO, to Dr. Daniel E. “Ned” Staples and Anne Jane Shields-Staples, who were both Butte natives. The family moved back home to Butte after his father finished medical school and his Army commitment. He attended Butte Central elementary and junior high schools and then Butte High School, graduating in 1967. He attended the University of Montana and earned his B.A. degree in political science in 1971. He received his law degree in 1980 from Gonzaga University.

Mark married Kimberly Altmaier-Staples June 15, 2002, in Missoula. Together they built a home on 40 acres just outside of Missoula and enjoyed a getaway condominium on Flathead Lake in Polson, where they spent their summers. They raised two children, Lance and Desiree. Mark officiated Lance and Pamela’s wedding under the Mission Mountains in the Flathead Valley. Shortly after, Mark became a grandfather of two to Bannack and Sawyer. Desiree and Bridger later married on the beautiful ranch Mark and Kim built together. 

Mark loved his family, friends, music, art, history, swimming, boating, golfing, skiing, writing and reading. Mark was attentive to politics – both professionally and personally but non-affiliated and non-partisan. He always said he was “cursed with objectivity”.

He is survived by his wife, Kimberly; his son, Lance (Pamela Altmaier); his grandchildren, Bannack and Sawyer; his daughter, Desiree (Bridger Skillicorn); his brothers, Dan, Steve and Tom; his sister, Sally; his niece, Madeline; nephews, Nick, Jack, Sean and Riley. Preceding him in death were his parents, Ned and Jane, and brother Jim.

Celebration of Life will be held March 22 at 2 p.m. at the Mother Lode Theatre, 316 W Park St, in Butte. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Partners In Home Care (home health and hospice) in Missoula.

Mark’s loving and generous spirit will live in our hearts forever.

 “…the greatest of these is love.”

                                           Corinthians