New Iberia"Mr. James Edward "Dick" Staton, 84, of New Iberia passed away on Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 8:04 A.M. in a local hospital. A memorial service honoring his life will be conducted on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 10:00 A.M. in Trinity Baptist Church. In keeping with his wishes, Mr. Statons cremated remains are to be dispersed at sea from the deck of a United States Navy vessel. A native of Road Fork of Pond Creek in Pike County, KY, Mr. Staton served in the Merchant Marine prior to the outbreak of World War II. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942, serving throughout the Pacific Theater of Operations until the end of hostilities in 1945. Mr. Staton worked in the oilfield until his retirement as a drilling superintendent for Occidental Drilling Company. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1982 and Aurora Masonic Lodge 195. Mr. Staton could be found spending his free time browsing and shopping in area flea markets. Survivors include sons, Wayne Edward Staton and wife, Janice Elam Staton of Pineville, LA, Bryan Richard Staton and Janice of St. Martinville, LA, Mark Anthony Staton and wife, Allison Herder Staton of Lafayette, LA, Jaime Eduardo Staton and wife, Rosangela Naoe Staton of Miami, FL, and Willard Anthony Staton of Miami, FL; daughter, Sue Ann Staton of New Iberia, LA; brother, Woodrow Wilson Staton of New Iberia, LA; grandsons, Wayne Sinclair of Phoenix, AZ, James Mayon Staton of Rifle, CO, Bryan Richard Staton, II of Lafayette, LA, and Eduardo Mamoru Staton of Miami, FL; granddaughters, Karin Marie Staton of Lafayette, LA, Elizabeth Lenie Staton of Lafayette, LA, Rebecca Leigh Staton of Lafayette, LA, Catherine Anne Staton Catt and husband, Chris of Pineville, LA, and Nicolle Staton of Brazil; and four great-grandchildren. Preceding Mr. Staton in death were his wives, Elvira Jaime Staton and Marie Gertrude Rouly Staton; parents, Willard and Laura Bell Reed Staton; brothers, Willie Staton, Carl Staton, and Troy Staton; and sisters, Inis Harmon, Fannie Williamson, Gladys Slack, Zenna Fergerson, Mildred Blackburn, Alice Felty, and Virginia Hazel. David Funeral Home of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.
