Dr. Gerald Wayne Staton Jr.

On November 30th, Gerald (Jerry) Wayne Staton Jr. beloved husband and father entered into Heaven. Jerry was born February 20th, 1950 to Gerald Wayne Staton Sr. and Joyce Staton (nee Martin) in Gainesville, Ga. As the oldest of three, Jerry’s lifelong drive to serve others manifested early in life. He was Valedictorian at Gainesville High Jerry. When he was not studying he could be found playing whatever sport was in season (basketball being his favorite!), and playing golf. Jerry attended Georgia Tech where he majored in Chemistry, and was a committed brother of the Phi Gamma Delta. After graduation he entered the Medical College of Georgia, where he excelled, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1976. He continued his medical education with an Internal Medicine residency at Stanford University and Pulmonary Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital of Harvard University.

In 1981, Jerry joined the faculty of the Emory School of Medicine. During his time at Emory, Jerry served as the Medical Director of the Long Term Acute Care Hospital of Wesley Woods Center, the head of Pulmonary and Critical Care at Emory Crawford Long Hospital, now Emory University Hospital Midtown, and the Division Director of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine within the Department of Medicine. Jerry's commitment to pulmonary health and his desire to provide assistance to as many people as possible extended beyond the walls of his classroom and the hospital. He was an active member of the American Lung Association, and looked forward to participating in the annual Climb for Clean Air..

Jerry's extensive medical expertise and desire to serve took him into the field on medical missions in over 20 countries. Not content to simply be a participant, Jerry also took on leadership roles, fundraising, management and so much more. In later years he acted as advisor to the teams out in the field, offering second opinions, and mentoring the new generation of missionaries.

Even with his busy schedule, Jerry made his family a priority. He shared over 49 blessed years of marriage with his wife Debra (nee Landers). Together they raised two sons, making sure to instill a drive for hard work and immense compassion in them both. He and Debra shared a robust love of travel and adventures. Their travels took them anywhere from Alaska to Europe, where they could be found mountain climbing, horse trekking, sailing, scuba diving, or of course golfing. Together he and Debra traveled the world to play golf at some of the preeminent courses, combining two of their greatest joys. After stepping down from many of his responsibilities at Emory, Jerry and Debra achieved a life long dream of relocating to Maggie Valley, North Carolina where they could watch the sun rise, feed the birds, forage in the words, and simply be. Even when retired, Jerry continued to seek out opportunities to serve others. He volunteered at a free medical clinic in Asheville, was on the board of One Day Health serving rural Uganda, and continued consulting for the Best Doctors organization. In addition to his medical work he also served as the Chemistry Department representative on the Advisory Board at Ga Tech.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Debra, sons Patrick Landers (Ellen) and Brent Michael (Meagan) as well as grandchildren Evelyn Grace, Vincent, Julianna and Dominic. He is also survived by his sisters Lynn (Daniel Mark) Henson and Cheryl Staton as well as numerous cherished cousins, nieces and nephews.

In honor of Jerry’s selfless spirit the family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the General Missions Fund at New Covenant Church in Clyde North Carolina in Jerry’s name.