Mark Philip Hazlewood of St. Louis, MO, passed away on March 22, 2026 at the age of 72, surrounded by his loving family.
Mark loved music. This was evident in his education (Mark received his Bachelor of Music from Culver-Stockton College and his Master of Arts from Northeast Missouri State University) and in his first career (Mark taught several years in Earlham, Iowa serving as choir director building the music program and directing musicals). But it was in his home where his passion for music was most evident. A self-proclaimed “Robert Shaw Freak,” Mark attended Shaw’s Carnegie Hall Choral Workshops and enjoyed collecting his recordings and studying scores while blasting them on his stereo. He also coached several high school string quartets.
Mark left Iowa in 1983 to return to St. Louis and succeed his father at P.R.A.Y. Publishing (a national nonprofit organization) where he served as CEO until 2016, overseeing the Protestant Religious Emblems series and working with the youth offices of national church denominations and the religious relationships committees of national scouting organizations. He enjoyed teaching at the Philmont Scout Ranch Training Center and forming lasting relationships. While at P.R.A.Y., Mark received his MBA from Maryville University of St. Louis.
Mark was a church man. He was brought up by his family in Dover Place Christian Church and returned there to raise his own family and serve as choir director and also board chair. Following its closure, Mark found home in Southminster Presbyterian Church where he had long been a member of the Men’s Bible Study group. He enjoyed being part of the choir and active in Bible studies.
But above all, Mark was a family man. He liked to say that he married above his pay grade, but Deb would say that Mark was her rock (albeit a dizzy, vertigo, lose your balance kind of rock) and that it was his strength that she leaned into. Mark and Deb met in Iowa where they taught high school and directed “Guys and Dolls” together. Several years after moving to St. Louis, Mark convinced Deb to work at P.R.A.Y. where they brought their daughters to work every day and raised them in the office. Mark loved his nephews and nieces and took pride in being “Crazy Uncle Mark.”
Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Carol Hazlewood, and is survived by his wife, Deb Hazlewood, his two daughters Angela Hazlewood (fiancé Logan) and Chrissy Humbles (Dayton), and his brother Rick Hazlewood (Terry).
Services: Visitation will be Friday, March 27, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Kutis Affton Chapel, 10151 Gravois. Further visitation will be Saturday, March 28, at noon with the funeral service at 1 p.m., both at Southminster Presbyterian Church, 10126 E. Watson Rd, Crestwood, MO 63126 with streaming services available here. Interment will be held at Park Lawn Cemetery for family and close friends. A church-wide reception/brunch will be held Sunday, March 29 at 11 a.m. following Palm Sunday services.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Southminster Presbyterian Church, 10126 E. Watson Rd, Crestwood, MO 63126.
Mark was a great person to work with at Earlham Schools. He was my “right hand” man all the time we spent together as musicians at the school.
So sorry to hear of Mark’s passing. We enjoyed many great times together @ Philmont. God’s peace & blessings to you Deb & the girls. We look forward to meeting again in Heaven.
God’s Peace.
I truly loved working with Mark & Deb in their role as the leaders of P.R.A.Y. When I was an active member of The National Religious Relationship Committee of BSA where I represented the Unitarian Universalist Faith for many years (‘07- early ‘20’s). P.R.A.Y. was extremely helpful during the years of membership restrictions and the UUA dropped its MOU with the BSA and a group of us established the UUSO (2004- 2017) and they handled our Religious Emblems . Always a gentleman and so easy to work with- that was Mark!
Condolences to his family.
.Blessed be,
Hal A. Yocum, MD
Mark and Deb will always hold a special place. In our hearts. And, we are saddened that we are out of the country which makes it impossible to be present for the service. Our prayers are with Deb and the girls. We send our love and deepest sympathy
So sorry to hear this news! Mr. Hazlewood was such a fun choir director and I really enjoyed his time at Earlham. He even managed to get me to sing a duet at contest (the one and ONLY time!) I thought of him often through the years and had the chance to see him again several years ago and tell him how much he impacted me during rhose years. Know that I’m thinking of your family and sending prayers for the days ahead.
So sorry to hear the passing of Mr Hazelwood. I was not in chorus but remembered he had a helping hand in the band room. Always had a smile, was encouraging and a very happy kind fellow. RIP Mr Hazelwood 🙏🏼
So sorry to hear the passing of Mr Hazelwood. I was not in chorus at his time in Earlham but remembered he had a helping hand in the band room. Always had a smile, was encouraging and a very happy kind fellow. RIP Mr Hazelwood 🙏🏼
I have so many fond memories of Mr. Hazelwood as our choir director at Earlham High School. He showed me such kindness and understanding—especially when he made an exception to his rule and allowed me to stay at the piano instead of sing. That meant more to me than he probably ever knew.
I will always be grateful for the encouragement and confidence he gave me as a musician. He was truly a good man who made a lasting impact on so many of us.
Praying for comfort and peace for his family during this difficult time. 🙏💛
He was a great teacher and person. He made choir fun.
I was blessed to serve with Mark and Debbie, and all the other wonderful members of our PRAY BOARD OF DIRECTORS. I was the Coordinator of Scouting Ministry for the Baltimore Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church and was initially blessed by Mark’s dad who founded the God and Country Award which I received from my Scout Counselor pastor Dad 68 years ago. This evolved into the PRAY PROGRAM, which was nurtured for 33 years by son Mark and Deb Hazlewood. This PRAY PROGRAM has been a part of my ministry ever since. Mark was a delight to be around. He was fully dedicated to the Christian Education of our children and youth, made our Board into a family, and turned this program into not just a Scout program, but a church wide program throughout the nation. God was also very good to Mark when he was blessed with wife Deb, whose Christian Education skills and loving demeanor made them into an unbeatable team. Their two wonderful daughters made this special musical family complete.
Mark was one of the few friends I could talk with who fully appreciated Fargo’s famous native son, Roger Maris! He was a true baseball fan, and just a fun nature good person. Blessings to the family as you grieve Mark’s passing.
Mr. Hazelwood ran the Music Program at Earlham High School, when I attended in 1978-1980. His love for music & his students was evident, in the time & energy he devoted towards the community, students & programs he ran. I especially admired & appreciated Mr. Hazelwood & have thought of him often, over the years. He was a huge encourager & positive influence to many. Mr. Hazelwood directed our high school musical, The Music Man, directed the Earlham High School swing choir, concert choir & a variety of other musical shows & competitions. Mr. Hazelwood went above & beyond, by arranging collegiate music auditions & driving students to those auditions, to support & cheer us on during the process.
We are truly saddened to hear about Mr. Hazelwood’s passing. May God uphold, preserve & protect your family during this difficult season.
When I was a sophomore in High School, Mr. Hazelwood came to be the new choir director at Earlham High School. He inherited a program that was down to around 20 voices. A few years later, that choir was 90 members strong. Mr. Hazelwood recruited me to sing in the choir and then later to be a part of the musicals he organized and directed. He saw something in me other teachers did not. A few years after I graduated, he heard I was thinking about going into ministry. He knew I had a background in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), as he did, so he arranged for his choir director from Culver Stockton College (where he had attended) to give me an audition. He set up a meeting in the music room in Earlham. As a result of that meeting, I transferred to Culver Stockton, joined the choir, and began preparation for ministry. At the time, I’m not sure I appreciated what an amazing mentor, teacher, and encourager Mr. Hazelwood was for me. Forty-five years later, I can now see clearly the important role he played in my life and ministry. Though I never got to sing in one of his church choirs, or serve in a church where he worshipped, we shared a common faith and love for Christ’s church. Over the years, I ran into Mr. Hazelwood at the General Assembly of the Christian Church, where his company would sometimes have a booth. It was always fun to catch up and reminisce about old times. Mr. Hazelwood was a blessing to me and was an important presence during a very formative time in my life. I know someday we will sing together again!
Our condolences. Mark and we were high school classmates, and he and Deb’s daughter Angela and our daughter Christine were school classmates as well. We fondly remember sitting with Mark and Deb at Chaifetz Arena at our girls’ high school graduation from Lindbergh. Mark will be missed.
Dear Debbie san
We are so sorry to hear your loss.
Whnever Mrach comes our family always remember the days of 8 years ago, we spent the time together
in Nagoya while Cherry blosdsoms are in full bloom.
Mark left a lasting impression of generous and a having sprit person to us.
Please accept our deepest condolence.
Yoichor and Itsuyo Matsui
from Japan
The Cardinals home opener is tomorrow. May they get a victory for Mark.
We were saddened to learn of Mark’s passing. Please accept our sincerest condolences. For the past nine years he served as a trusted advisor and mentor during the leadership transition at PRAY. We are grateful for his legacy and impact on all he served.
What a joy it was to know Mark. I got to know him as I worked in the office at Southminster. His life reflected the light of Christ.
Mark was married to my good college friend, Deb, and became a wonderful friend to me as well. I was blessed to standcup for them at their wedding and have enjoyed countless visits to St. Louis over the last 40 plus years. Going to church, singing in the choir, attending the symphony, talking music, listening to music, and watching sports were some of the things we did together. Origami nights and Bible study and laughter filled our visits. When we had similar health problems we were able to talk about them and find encouragement and strength from each other, while Deb was the strength and wisdom giver we both needed. I will miss his wit and dry humor but will be forever grateful for his influence and support in my life, especially during challenging times. Go rest high on that mountain Mark … until we meet again. I love you.
Mark was a great family man,he loved his family , music an the Lord. I had the privilege of meeting him some 25 plus years ago and he always treated me like family. He was a funny guy who loved fantasy football,but never really had a winning team.He loved sports and music.He was very dedicated to his family and his faith.I know he’s in a much better place now.Mark go rest high on a Mountain, you will be greatly missed. Till we meet again RIP.
Sincerest sympathies to Mark’s family and friends…
We were good friends at Affton High School, enjoying participation in choirs, ensembles, and musical theater. Mark was always an encourager and positive influence. His faith in Christ always shone. He will be missed. God’s blessings of peace and comfort be with you all.