Roy Neal Staton Sr.

Roy Franklin and Elsie Mae Staton.

Roy was born into a oilfield family who enjoyed participating in Rodeo’s. His dad was President of the local Round Up club and his son received his first saddle and pony at age 3. Not only did he learn to rope and ride, his scholastic record was impressive as well. In the 8th grade he was selected as the outstanding boy in his class. Roy attended and graduated from Dundee High School, McMann, Oklahoma as Valedictorian. While there he participated and lettered in all sports. He also took top honors in the Oklahoma State Regional Drivers Education Competition. He attended Southeastern State College on academic scholarship and was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. Roy transferred to Oklahoma State University and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He also received a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Texas at Arlington.

Roy met his wife Phyllis Michael at OSU. They married on August 27, 1960.

After college they moved to southern California where he worked as an Aerospace Engineer for Lockheed. After five years living in California and welcoming two sons they moved back to God’s country in 1967. In Arlington they had their third son. Roy worked at LTV Aerospace in Dallas and retired there after 30 years. While working he served as Vice President/Technical Director of Society of Allied Weight Engineers (SAWE). Roy received numerous awards and trophies. He was elected both a Fellow and an Honorary Fellow in SAWE. While working he edited and contributed to a textbook, “Introduction to Aircraft Weight Engineering” which is still available in college bookstores. He also led a successful effort to establish a permanent engineering scholarship program at UTA. Roy was invited to lecture at several universities, including University of Texas and the Naval Post Graduate School.

Roy was a man of many interests. He loved music and played the piano and guitar. He was one of those rare individuals with almost perfect pitch. He and Phyllis loved to dance and belonged to the Bailando Dance Club for many years. Roy enjoyed golf and hunting with his sons, camping, collecting coins and knives. He was an expert bridge player with Master Points. He was a super cook and did family meals and Crock Pot Meals for the Life Shelter when Phyllis was detained by a bridge game. Roy bought a travel trailer and he and Phyllis toured the USA. They joined the Cowtown RV’ers and he was president and did write-ups of all members. After retirement he continued to write. His first book was a biography of his father, “Roy Franklin’s Life”. After an RV trip to Alpine, Texas to the Cowboy Poets Gathering he decided to try his hand at poetry. The result was another book, “Cowboy Doin’s”. Since he loved to cook and eat a family cookbook was next, “Staton Family Cookbook.” Roy became the unofficial partner in Phyllis antique business. He opened an ebay store which sold coins and books. He joined the Maverick Health Club and worked out regularly and made many new friends and drank lots of coffee.

Roy became a member of First Christian Church in Drumright, Oklahoma at age 10. In Arlington, his family belonged to North West Christian and are currently members of First Christian Church. Over the years he has served in a variety of positions, deacon, choir member, youth sponsor, Sunday school teacher and had worked in the TV ministry for 12 year. He was faithful in his support of the Lord. His faith never waivered even as his health begin to decline.

Of all Roy’s awards and accomplishments, he was most proud of his family. His wife Phyllis and their marriage of 60 years. His three sons, Neal, Shawn and Mike. He was a hands-on parent. He coached, he attended all activities, including Indian Guides and Scouting. He was as proud of their trophies, as he was of his own. Their man- trips to golf, fish and hunt became the stuff of family legends. He was patient and a problem solver. Roy’s glass was always half full. He believed that each day was a blessing. Roy endeavored to teach his sons by example of how a man should live his life as a man, a Christian, and a Cowboy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Elsie Staton, his sister Maxine Perry, his son, Roy Neal Staton Jr.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years Phyllis Michael Staton, his sons Robert Shawn Staton, Michael Douglas Staton. As well as grandsons Erick Jordan Staton, Doran Zachery Staton, Colin Alexander Staton, Cameron Jax Staton, granddaughter Cheyenne Rose Staton, great grandsons Jude Maynard Staton, Oliver Thomas Staton, Saige Julian Staton, and Damon Zachery Staton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Parkinson’s Foundation or ASPCA