Joe Bob Staton 09/13/1918 -3/21/

Joe Bob Staton 09/13/1918 -3/21/2008

Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 24, 2008 at 10:00 AM in the Autry Funeral Home Chapel with Coach Richard Sheffield and Rev. Vernon Lee officiating. Visitation will begin on Sunday, March 23, 2009 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be in Scenic Haven Cemetery under the direction of Autry Funeral Home.

Born in Van Zandt County on September 13, 1918, to Delia and J. H. Staton, Joe Bob was the grandson of an early pioneer family in the lumber business in Cherokee County. His grandparents, Albert A. and Ella Atkison, operated one of the first large lumber mills in the county, located at Prices Switch.

Joe Bob was a World War II veteran, serving his country as Staff Sergeant in the Air Transport Command, U. S. Army Air Forces. The Air Transport Command had world-wide responsibility for ferrying aircraft; transporting personnel, material, and mail; and maintaining air route facilities outside of the U. S. By the end of 1944, Air Transport Command had more than 3,000 transport aircraft in use and had become the “life line” of the Army Air Forces, flying to every part of the world where U. S. troops served. Mr. Staton served in the North African campaign, and his decorations and citations included EAME Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged November 16, 1945.

After the war ended, Mr. Staton returned to Jacksonville and founded Staton Lumber Company with his father, J. H. Staton, his brother George D. Staton, Sr., and his brother-in-law, Gary Arnett. Mr. Staton expanded operations which included George Staton Wholesale Company, Staton Materials, Inc., and Joe Staton Timber Company. He eventually became a major distributor of lumber and other building products in the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas.

In the early 1980’s, the longtime lumber wholesaler bought property outside town from Dallas real estate executive Trammell Crow. It was prime ranch land, but Mr. Staton decided he really didn’t need more pasture for his cattle. He chose to return the pasture land to forest and planted trees – over four million of them. He said, “There’s nothing that picks you up better than going out where some pretty pine trees have been set out and watch and see how they’ve grown since the last time. That’s my hobby; I guess you’d call it.”

For his many friends, Mr. Staton was an ordinary man who lived his life with “selfless concern for others.” He was an avid sports fan, and especially enjoyed high school football. When the public schools desegregated in the early 1970’s, he was concerned that kids who lived on the north side of town would not be able to get to the summer football practices at the current high school location on the east side of town. With approval from head coach Richard Sheffield, Joe Bob bought a van and assigned Lemon Boyd to get that group of young men to practices. The van was later given to Lemon when he graduated from high school.

Mr. Staton was preceded in death by his brothers, James A. Staton, and George D. Staton, Sr. and sisters, Mary Arnett and Monnie Bacon.

He is survived by his loving niece and husband, Linda and Olen Phillips and nephew, James Bacon who were his faithful caregivers during the final years of his extended illness. He is also survived by his sister, Polly Staton Waldrop of Baytown; nephew and longtime business partner, George Staton, Jr. of Flint; nephews, Jimmy Staton of Jacksonville, George Gary (Duke) Waldrop of Winter Haven, Florida, Jerry Bacon of Lindale, Ronnie Waldrop and Bobby Waldrop of Baytown; and nieces Suzanne Morgan of Friendswood, Rose Mary Banks and Mary Jo McKnight of Jacksonville, Joe Anna Arnett and Elsie Thurman of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Sally Staton of Spring.

Pallbearers will be Gene Brumbelow, Doyle Buckley, Tim Buckley, James Houser, Rafus Runnels, Sam Shields, Reza Shokrian, and John Young. Honorary pallbearers will be Roy Baker of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, beloved friend who served with him in WWII. Other honorary pallbearers include longtime friends Billy Powell, O. T. Scott, James Tennison, Billy Glen Berry, and Laurence Jay.

An honor guard of thirteen members will be provided by the Boy Scouts of America of Central Baptist Church, Troop 403, Jacksonville.

The family suggests memorials to the First United Methodist Church, 1031 SE Loop 456, Jacksonville, TX 75766 or to Richard Klein Animal Shelter, 208 Tena Street, Jacksonville, TX 75766, or the charity of donor’s choice.

Information from Autry Funeral Home

Joe Bob Staton

Joe Bob Staton, 89, of Jacksonville, lumber distributor, landowner and timber man, died March 21, 2008, after an extended illness. Mr. Staton was predeceased by his wife of 38 years, Ann Worrell Staton. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 24, 2008 at 10 a.m. in the Autry Funeral Home Chapel with Coach Richard Sheffield and Rev. Vernon Lee officiating. Visitation will begin on Sunday, March 23, 2008 from 6- 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Scenic Haven Cemetery under the direction of Autry Funeral Home. Born in Van Zandt County on Sept. 13, 1918, to Delia and J. H. Staton, Joe Bob was the grandson of an early pioneer family in the lumber business in Cherokee County. His grandparents, Albert A. and Ella Atkison, operated one of the first large lumber mills in the county, located at Prices Switch. Joe Bob was a World War II veteran, serving his country as Staff Sergeant in the Air Transport Command, U. S. Army Air Forces. The Air Transport Command had world-wide responsibility for ferrying aircraft; transporting personnel, material, and mail; and maintaining air route facilities outside of the U. S. By the end of 1944, Air Transport Command had more than 3,000 transport aircraft in use and had become the “life line” of the Army Air Forces, flying to every part of the world where U. S. troops served. Mr. Staton served in the North African campaign, and his decorations and citations included EAME Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged Nov. 16, 1945.After the war ended, Mr. Staton returned to Jacksonville and founded Staton Lumber Company with his father, J. H. Staton, his brother George D. Staton, Sr., and his brother-in-law, Gary Arnett. Mr. Staton expanded operations which included George Staton Wholesale Company, Staton Materials, Inc., and Joe Staton Timber Company. He eventually became a major distributor of lumber and other building products in the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. In the early 1980’s, the longtime lumber wholesaler bought property outside town from Dallas real estate executive Trammell Crow. It was prime ranch land, but Mr. Staton decided he really didn’t need more pasture for his cattle. He chose to return the pasture land to forest and planted trees – over four million of them. He said, “There’s nothing that picks you up better than going out where some pretty pine trees have been set out and watch and see how they’ve grown since the last time. That’s my hobby; I guess you’d call it.” For his many friends, Mr. Staton was an ordinary man who lived his life with “selfless concern for others.” He was an avid sports fan, and especially enjoyed high school football. When the public schools desegregated in the early 1970’s, he was concerned that kids who lived on the north side of town would not be able to get to the summer football practices at the current high school location on the east side of town. With approval from head coach Richard Sheffield, Joe Bob bought a van and assigned Lemon Boyd to get that group of young men to practices. The van was later given to Lemon when he graduated from high school. Mr. Staton was preceded in death by his brothers, James A. Staton, and George D. Staton, Sr. and sisters, Mary Arnett and Monnie Bacon. He is survived by his loving niece and husband, Linda and Olen Phillips and nephew, James Bacon who were his faithful caregivers during the final years of his extended illness. He is also survived by his sister, Polly Staton Waldrop of Baytown; nephew and longtime business partner, George Staton, Jr. of Flint; nephews, Jimmy Staton of Jacksonville, George Gary (Duke Waldrop of Winter Haven, Florida, Jerry Bacon of Lindale, Ronnie Waldrop and Bobby Waldrop of Baytown; and nieces Suzanne Morgan of Friendswood, Rose Mary Banks and Mary Jo McKnight of Jacksonville, Joe Anna Arnett and Elsie Thurman of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Sally Staton of Spring. Pallbearers will be Gene Brumbelow, Doyle Buckley, Tim Buckley, James Houser, Rafus Runnels, Sam Shields, Reza Shokrian, and John Young. Honorary pallbearers will be Roy Baker of Oklahoma City, Okla., beloved friend who served with him in WWII. Other honorary pallbearers include longtime friends Billy Powell, O. T. Scott, James Tennison, Billy Glen Berry, and Laurence Jay. An honor guard of thirteen members will be provided by the Boy Scouts of America of Central Baptist Church, Troop 403, Jacksonville. Mr. Staton’s family would like to thank Dr. James Low of Bonner Place and all the staff for the care given to Joe Bob. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 1031 SE Loop 456, Jacksonville, Texas 75766 or to Richard Klein Animal Shelter, 208 Tena Street, Jacksonville, Texas 75766, or the charity of donor’s choice. Published in the Jacksonville Daily Progress from 3/24/2008 - 3/25/2008.