J.W. Staton

J. Wayne (Jay) Staton, 88, passed away Sunday, December 20, 2009, at Midland Hospice after a 6-week diagnosis of liver cancer. He was born in Wichita, KS on July 13, 1921, the only child of Ora and Stella (Hoisington) Staton.

He attended Wichita schools and graduated from East High School. At Kansas State University, he majored in Civil Engineering. He served four years in the Air Force during World War II as a B-17 and B-24 navigator. After flying 24 missions, and while stationed in Libya, he contracted polio, and was returned to the states for hospitalization. When he returned to flying status, he became Navigational Instructor and Wing Commander at San Marcos, (TX) Air Field. After the war, he was hired by Kansas Power & Light at Manhattan, KS, as a junior engineer; transferred to Hutchinson as a rural engineer and later promoted apprentice manager. He served as local manager at Junction City, division manager at Great Bend and at Abilene; superintendent of gas distribution in Salina. He then transferred to Topeka and became Assistant Vice President, Manager of Gas Operations. This position he held until retiring with 37 years of employment with Kansas Power & Light.

Jay was a member of Lowman United Methodist Church and its Golden Beacon Sunday School Class; Shawnee Country Club; Arab Shrine and 3 of its units: Greeters, Legion of Honor, and Golfers.

Jay married Joye Jean Teeple on November 20, 1943 and they recently celebrated their 66th anniversary. She survives. Other survivors are two sons, one daughter and their families; Jeff (Judy) Staton, Wichita, KS; Jon (Brenda) Staton, Shawnee, KS; and Jill (Neil) Phalen, Salina, KS.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 23, at Lowman United Methodist Church, 15th & Gage. Private burial services will be in Memorial Cemetery, Abilene, KS. Jay will lie in state after 3:00 p.m. today at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel with visitation from 7-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Lowman United Methodist Church, 15th & Gage, 66604; Helping Hands Humane Society, 2625 NW Rochester Rd, 66617; or Midland Care Hospice Services, 200 SW Frazier Circle, 66606.