2015 Men of the Year Honoree: Dee Wampler

Dee Wampler was well known even before beginning his career as a criminal defense attorney. As a student at Parkview High School, Wampler garnered national notice for his debate and public speaking skills. That talent also was shown at Drury University and the University of Missouri, where Wampler compiled the best win/loss ratio in debate with a nearly perfect record.

Those things were only the beginning of a laundry list of accolades and accomplishments. “After completing college and law school and the U.S. Army, I was elected prosecuting attorney at the age of 29, one of the youngest elected prosecutors in Greene County history,” says Wampler, who also was chosen as Springfield’s Outstanding Young Man in 1971.

Now 75, Wampler still maintains a full-time law practice where he continually improves his proudest accomplishment to date: making a difference in people’s lives.

“I have helped educate law enforcement officers to better do their job and protect the lives of innocent people as well as convict the guilty,” Wampler says. “I have represented several thousand clients in the last 50 years, many of which suffered from alcohol problems, drugs, sexual and violence problems. I have been successful in getting citizens the help they need, counseling with them and making sure that they do not offend again against the law and become productive citizens.”

Wampler’s influence can be felt far from the confines of the courtroom. He regularly lectures to law enforcement agencies and has authored more than 250 articles for law enforcement journals. He has spoken more than 150 times on the First Amendment issue of separation of church and state, and has published enough books to fill a shelf.

“I have authored seven books on criminal law which have been distributed to nearly 20,000 law enforcement officers and citizens,” Wampler says.

Several other books – focusing on America’s Christian history – also carry Wampler’s name as author. It’s obvious faith is important to Wampler.

“I was responsible for posting our nation’s motto, ‘In God We Trust’ in 100 city halls and county courthouses throughout southwest Missouri,” says Wampler, who also has produced a 30-minute film titled “The Trial of Christ: A Criminal Lawyer Defends Jesus.” He also founded The Messiah Project, an organization that aspires to share the gospel through the arts, and has a daily radio show on Bott Radio Network.

Wampler also is active in a variety of civic organizations. Some include Safety Council of the Ozarks, Boy Scouts of America, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and the Springfield Symphony, all organizations for which he’s been a board member. He’s also served as president of both the Civil War Roundtable of the Ozarks and the Greene County Bar Association, and has been on the Missouri Bar Association’s Board of Regents, for which he published articles in the Missouri Bar Journal.

In addition, Wampler lists informing the public – about America’s history, the Bill of Rights and the Constitution – as an important part of his leadership endeavors.

“I believe in … encouraging young people to become involved in politics and civic affairs to work for change and betterment of our nation within the system of current laws,” he says.