Darrell Wayne Stanton, 82, of Logan, Kansas died Monday, January 25, 2021, at his home in Logan. He was born on February 12, 1938 in Logan, Kansas to Wilbur Andrew and Della Jane “Dot” (Ashley) Stanton. He attended school in Logan and was a 1956 graduate of Logan High School where he played football, basketball and baseball. Upon graduation from LHS, he enlisted in the United States Army.
On July 3, 1957, Darrell married Carol Ann Fox in Fort
Gordon, Georgia. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in 1997 and were married
for 57 years. Soon after their marriage, Darrell was stationed at Fort
Richardson Army Base in the Alaskan Territory and was in Alaska when it became
a state in 1959. While in Alaska, he was a radio communications specialist,
operating and repairing radio equipment for Army and Navy forces in the Pacific
Northwest. Upon discharge from the Armed Services in 1959, he returned to
Logan, Kansas to be reunited with his wife, Carol. They made their home in
Salina, Kansas, where he worked for Sears, Roebuck, & Co. as an appliance
repairman for 10 years.
During this time, Darrell and Carol had three
children. Leah Rae was born in 1961, Darren Kyle was born in 1963, and Leslie
Andrew “Andy” was born in 1969. In 1970, they moved back to their hometown of
Logan to raise their family. Darrell was an entrepreneur and small business
owner throughout his entire life, owning several businesses in Logan, including
Stanton Appliance, Logan Recreation, and Stanton Roofing. He had the knowledge
and ability to fix just about anything mechanical. In 1986, he and Carol moved
to Boulder, Colorado, where he was employed as a maintenance technician
overseeing multiple apartment complexes. After living in Boulder, Colorado,
they moved to Salina, Kansas where he was a maintenance supervisor for Solomon
Public Schools. They later moved to Stockton, Kansas, and Leoti, Kansas where
he continued to work in the public-school maintenance departments. He and Carol
retired and moved back to their hometown of Logan in 2000. He enjoyed his time
as a school bus driver for USD 326 in his retirement, especially driving the
preschool bus route. In 2012, he received a Veteran’s Honorary Associates Degree of
Technical Education from NCK Tech in Hays.
Darrell was an outdoorsman his entire life. From
hunting elk & moose and fishing salmon in Alaska, to hunting deer,
pheasant, quail, rabbit and fishing his favorite bass ponds in Kansas, he
enjoyed being outdoors. Darrell's greatest joy was loving his wife, children,
grandchildren. He dedicated his life to his family and serving others. He was
one of the first people in the State of Kansas to become a certified Hunter
Safety Instructor for the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks and taught
many young people in Logan how to safely handle firearms, and to respect the
local wildlife and habitat. He coached many little league and K-18 baseball
teams as his children grew up. He served on the Logan City Council and the USD
326 Board of Education, was active in the Logan Lions Club, a member of the
Logan Volunteer Fire Department, an adult Boy Scout leader & member of the
Order of the Arrow and was an active member of the Logan American Legion Post
281, serving as Post Commander for many years in his retirement.
He was a craftsman specializing in woodwork. He and
Carol exhibited at hundreds of craft fairs throughout Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas,
and Nebraska from the 1970s until Carol’s death in 2014. Throughout his
retirement, he continued working in his woodshop, creating beautiful rolling
pins on his lathe.
Darrell was baptized into the Christian faith by his
brother, Delbert, in the Solomon River just south of Logan in 2014. This is the
same river that he and his siblings and cousins played in during their youth.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Carol; his
parents, Wilbur and Della Jane “Dot” Stanton; one brother, Doyle F. “Tony”
Stanton; and his son-in-law, Ken Garman.
He is survived by his immediate family and their
children: Leah Garman of Basehor, Kansas; Darren & Amy Stanton of Osborne,
Kansas; and Andy & Dana Stanton of Hays, Kansas; his nine grandchildren;
Joe & Stacey Hesting of Leawood, Kansas; Jake & Alexandria Hesting of
Savannah, Georgia; Zane Hesting of Chadron, Nebraska; Katie & Jeff Nelson
of Manhattan, Kansas; Colton Stanton and Lori Stanton of Osborne, Kansas; and
Jackson, Grace, and Gabe Stanton of Hays, Kansas; and four great-grandchildren;
Kline & Walker Hesting and John & Amelia Hesting. Other survivors
include his siblings; Echo Krouse, Elaine Holloway & Mike (Mary) Stanton of
Logan, Kansas; Delbert Stanton of Hays, Kansas; and Anne (Rick) Siler of
Joplin, Missouri.
Funeral services are planned for 10:00 a.m., Saturday,
May 29, 2021 at the Logan Lake Shelter House. Burial will follow in the
Pleasant View Cemetery, Logan.
Memorials are suggested to the Kansas Department of
Wildlife, Parks, & Tourism WildTrust Outdoor Skills and Ethics Fund, which
will benefit the Kansas Hunter Safety program and Youth Fishing program and can be sent in care of All
Faiths Funeral Chapel, 113 S. Madison, St., Smith Center, KS 66967 or through KDWPT, 512 SE 25th Avenue,
Pratt, Kansas 67124.