Darwin Staton, 88, passed away July 4, 2023, in Tyler, Texas, his home for the last year. He moved to Tyler from Austin, Texas, where he had resided most of his life. Darwin was born on September 6, 1934, to Ira Stewart Staton and Lemma Elizabeth (Innmon) Staton, the third of their seven children.
Darwin attended public schools in Kiowa, Oklahoma; Killeen, Texas; and Austin - Metz Elementary, Fulmore Junior High and Austin High School, from which he graduated in 1953.
Darwin met Mary Ann Peterson on the first day of 3rd grade at Metz Elementary and they were married on May 14, 1954, in Austin at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. They had three daughters, Debbie, Laurie and Lisa.
Darwin began working for Texas Quarries shortly after graduating from high school. Although the company changed ownership and names several times during the years of his employment, he remained an employee until his retirement at the end of 1999.
Prior to and after his retirement, he spent a lot of time helping Mary Ann in her business of buying and selling antiques and collectibles. He and Mary Ann also enjoyed going to casinos and playing the slot machines. They traveled to Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nevada and Shreveport, Louisiana several times, but most recently enjoyed playing at WinStar World Casino in Oklahoma.
Over the years, Darwin bowled on many bowling teams with Mary Ann’s father and brother; had a weekly poker game with friends and neighbors; and he loved to hunt and fish with his brother, Charles.
Darwin was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Lemma Staton; his wife of 65 years, Mary Ann Staton; his sister, Jonnie Ruth Williamson; and his grandson, Matthew Allen Zumwalt. He is survived by his daughters, Debbie Hutchinson and husband Kevin of Tyler, Texas; Laurie Roehrig and husband Tom of Buda, Texas; and Lisa Zumwalt of Tyler, Texas. He is also survived by the lights of his life, his grandchildren, Amber (Zumwalt) Bailey and husband Jonathan of Austin, Texas; Christina Roehrig of Tyler, Texas; and Luke Roehrig of Plano, Texas; and great-grandchildren, Cassandra, Adam and Jacob Bailey of Austin, Texas. Also surviving Darwin are his brothers, Weldon Staton of Temple, Texas; Charles Staton and wife Jane of Austin, Texas; and Clifford Staton of Round Rock, Texas; and his sisters, Sue Norman of Killeen, Texas; and Gayle Douglas of Tyler, Texas. In addition to his immediate family, he is also survived by his uncle and aunt, Vernie and Alice Staton of Cedar Park, Texas; and several generations of nieces, nephews and other friends.
Darwin is being cremated and his ashes will be interred at Liberty Hill Cemetery in Liberty Hill, Texas at a later date.
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