Darrell Wayne Stanton, 82, of Logan, Kan., died Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, at his home in Logan. He was born on Feb. 12, 1938, in Logan 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, Ga. 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 to be reunited with his wife, Carol. They made their home in Salina, 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, Colo., where he was employed as a maintenance technician overseeing multiple apartment complexes. After living in Boulder, they moved to Salina, where he was a maintenance supervisor for Solomon Public Schools. They later moved to Stockton and Leoti, Kan., 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 and moose and fishing salmon in Alaska, to hunting deer, pheasant, quail, rabbit and fishing his favorite bass ponds in Kansas, he enjoyed being outdoors. He dedicated his life to his family and serving others. He was one of the first people in 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, Boy Scout leader and member of the Order of the Arrow, and was an active member of the Logan American Legion Post 281, serving as post commander 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 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, Kan.; Darren and Amy Stanton of Osborne; and Andy and Dana Stanton of Hays; his nine grandchildren; Joe and Stacey Hesting of Leawood, Kan.; Jake and Alexandria Hesting of Savannah, Ga.; Zane Hesting of Chadron, Neb.; Katie and Jeff Nelson of Manhattan, Kan.; Colton Stanton and Lori Stanton of Osborne; and Jackson, Grace, and Gabe Stanton of Hays; and four great-grandchildren; Kline and Walker Hesting and John and Amelia Hesting. Other survivors include his siblings; Echo Krouse, Elaine Holloway and Mike (Mary) Stanton of Logan; Delbert Stanton of Hays; and Anne (Rick) Siler of Joplin, Mo.
A funeral is planned for 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 29, at the Logan Lake Shelter House. Burial will follow in the Pleasant View Cemetery, Logan.
All Faiths Funeral Chapel of Smith Center, Kansas is in charge of arrangements.
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