Kenneth Wayne Staton

Kenneth Wayne Staton was born to Kirby & Ila Staton on August 23, 1937, in Miami Oklahoma. Ken spent his childhood & formative years there with his sisters Gladys and Pauline.

After graduating from Miami High School, Ken entered into the military. In May of 1955 he joined the U.S. Army and worked as a Russian Linguist, in the National Security Agency. He was stationed in Helmstedt Germany.

After his military duty ended, Ken came to Colorado. He decided to go to college and received both his Bachelor's & Masters degrees from the University of Denver (Music). Ken went on to teach music, as well as direct ensembles, choirs, orchestras, and other performing arts groups at DU. He was also involved in music, and the performing arts, throughout the community .

It was during his DU years that he met and wed Carol Miller. They were married on October 13, 1961, and were married for 13 yrs. Ken and Carol had 3 delightful children, Geoff, Jonathan, and Meridith.

In the early 1970's, Ken received an opportunity to move to Hilo, Hawaii, to teach music, and be active in the performing arts dept, at Hilo College. Hilo College quickly became the University of Hawaii at Hilo. He happily accepted this new adventure and moved there with his wife and 3 children in tow.

With his feet newly on the sand, Ken continued to be an educator, mentor, composer, arranger, Maestro, director, singer, actor, author, and trombone player. Ken did have one of the most beautiful tenor voices ever heard. He played an integral part in bringing choral music, orchestral music, and musical theatre to the university culture and to the Big Island.

It was during these early Hawaii years that Ken met Katherine Conner, and they married on December 26, 1977. Ken and Kathy shared a wonderful life together with their combined family of 6 children. Ken & Kathy were married for 26 years.

On July 25, 2004, Ken married Celeste Cloud. Ken and Celeste enjoyed working on many outstanding performing arts productions together. They had many fur-babies, that they absolutely adored. They had a combined family of 5 children.

Ken returned to Colorado, in December of 2016, to spend the rest of his life close to his children.

Ken was a dynamic, caring, and loving man. A beloved Father & Grandfather. Ken is survived by his 3 children Geoff Staton, Jonathan Staton (with Gina), and Meridith Staton, his 2 granddaughters Oralia Staton & Alexandra Staton, and his sister Gladys Saenz.

Kenneth Wayne Staton passed away on April 3, 2021.

Kenneth W. Staton, The Music Man