They became friends working side-by-side as Mountain Grove school district's No. 1 and No. 2 executives.
They kept in touch and stayed close, both teaching classes at William Woods University in the past year.
But now, one of the veteran school officials is a homicide victim, slain in his home, along with his wife. The other former superintendent stands accused of two counts of murder.
As news of Mark Edward Porter's arrest in the killings of Gary and Jan Tyrrell circulated in recent days, school officials who worked with both men are expressing deep sadness and shock.
"We hate this for the Mountain Grove community. We hate that they are going through this," said Cabool Superintendent Wesley Davis, whose district is 10 miles from Mountain Grove. "It doesn't just affect Mountain Grove. ... It has affected students and educators in all area schools."
A decade ago, in the early 2000s, both Tyrrell and Porter were well known in the South Central Association, a string of school districts including Ava, Cabool, Houston, Mountain Grove, Mountain View-Birchtree, Thayer, Salem and Willow Springs.
Wesley Davis became the superintendent in Cabool the same year Porter was hired in Mountain Grove, which is 100 miles east of Springfield on U.S. 60. They attended meetings together a couple times a month and talked about budgets and other related topics over lunch.
"He was normal, very professional," Davis said.
Was there any interaction with Porter that led him to believe last week's arrest was possible? No way, said Davis.
"Shocked is the best word I could use," he said. "I was taken aback."
Davis explained that the Tyrrells, whom he knew well, were universally respected. When news of the couple's death hit in the spring, it was hard to accept.
"Everybody loved Gary Tyrrell. He was well respected," he said, noting Tyrrell taught Drury University courses on the Cabool campus. "It was awful."
Davis is still coming to grips with the reality that a top school official has been killed and another has been charged in the death.
"I don't think we've ever seen this or thought of this," he said. "This was so hard when it happened and then to have a superintendent arrested. We just can't believe it."
Superintendents in Nixa and Willard said they didn't know Porter, but they're surprised by the alleged involvement of a former district leader.
"Anytime that you hear anything that like, it's a shock value that occurs," said Willard Superintendent Kent Medlin. "I believe school people are good people, but ..."
Dennis Cooper, assistant commissioner of the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, knew Porter while they were both superintendents. Cooper worked in Mt. Vernon and Bolivar during that period.
"I do remember when Mr. Porter was superintendent in Mountain Grove," Cooper said. "...I remember him being at our meetings and being highly engaged and very knowledgeable and competent with his role as superintendent there."
Gary Tyrrell was part of the Mountain Grove community, graduating high school there in 1972 and returning a few years later to spend 30 years — an entire career —in the school system. Porter was more of a visitor, working there for just two years in the latter half of his career.
"He wasn't here before that," said Mountain Grove Superintendent Jim Dickey. "He wasn't here after that."
But Tyrrell and Porter worked side-by-side for two years, from mid-2003 to mid-2005. Porter was superintendent and Tyrell, who had worked his way up from the classroom, was second-in-command.
On Friday, Porter was charged with killing the couple in their Springfield home on South Greenbrier Avenue. Porter, who retired in 2008 after a stint as the top school leader in Wright City, lived about 15 miles away from Springfield in Ozark.
"We are shocked that that's who has been arrested, truly, just blown away," Dickey said. "…It's shocking that it was someone who worked so closely with Gary. They were very close."
Jessica Tyrrell, the couple's daughter, said the family will speak out, but not yet. "The investigation is still ongoing so we're not ready to give a statement at this time."
Gary Tyrrell, 60, a retiree who dealt in precious metals and gemstones, was picky about who was allowed in his house; Porter was on the short list.
According to charging documents, Gary Tyrrell was fatally shot and his wife, Jan, 61, died of blunt force trauma to the head. Police believe the motive may have been a rebuffed loan or silver stolen from Gary Tyrrell.
"Gary and Jan were great people. I don't know anyone who wouldn't say that," Dickey said, noting Gary Tyrrell worked for the district from 1975 until his retirement in 2005. "While we are shocked, we are relieved an arrest has been made.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family."
Porter in court
Mark Porter was arraigned Monday on two counts of first-degree murder. Judge Mark Powell ordered Porter be held without bond.
Porter was represented in court by attorney Dee Wampler for the limited purpose of the arraignment and "bond conditions." Wampler said he will make a decision probably by the end of the week if he'll continue to represent Porter.
Porter is being held in the Greene County Jail. His next court date is set for Sept. 5.
