Donald Nelson Staton, a resident of Albany, Okla., left this earthly life in Denison, Texas on Jan. 8, 2021 at the age of 76. He was born in Yuba, Okla., on July 12, 1944 to Nelson Floyd Staton and Ruby Bell (Anderson) Staton. 
He graduated from Yuba High School in 1963 and went on to Murray State College. Don spent many years as the ranch foreman for the Diamond S Ranch in Hendrix, Okla. and the majority of his professional life was devoted to carpentry. Don loved building and repairing homes all across Bryan and surrounding counties. He truly loved passing on these carpentry skills to his grandsons.
He was a faithful member and deacon of the Albany Baptist Church and proud supporter and volunteer at the Wade-Albany Senior Center. Don served many years as the fire chief with the Albany Volunteer Fire Department. He served his community for 40 years as a Master Mason. Don was a Perpetual Member and Past Master of Albany Masonic Lodge No. 159. He was member of the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Oklahoma Team.
Don loved his family dearly and was so proud of his daughters and son-in-laws. His grandsons were his true pride and joy. He loved spending time with them, discussing their house building plans, working on projects in his woodshop and watching them play sports.
Don is survived by his beloved wife, Linda Jon (Stallings) Staton of the home; brothers: Joe Staton of Yuba, Okla. and Duane Staton of Durant, Okla.; sister, Mary Goldsmith and husband Bill of Kingston, Okla.; daughter, Ladonna Kay Franklin and husband Allen of Durant, Okla.; daughter, Delinda Eve Knox and husband Tony of Roberta, Okla.; grandsons: Aaron Franklin and spouse Shana of Durant, Okla., Colt Franklin and spouse Arin of Mead, Okla., Coby Franklin and spouse Alexandra of Durham, N.C., Cort Franklin and spouse Sarah of Durant, Okla., Taylor Knox and spouse Kaley of Durant, Okla. and Matthew Knox of Durant, Okla.; great-grandsons: Alexander Franklin, Sebastian Franklin, Titus Franklin, Dean Franklin, Carson Allen and numerous family members.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Ruby Bell Staton and Nelson Floyd Staton; infant twin siblings, Beryl and Meryl Staton and infant son, Donald Wayne Staton.
Family night will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 at the Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Okla.
A celebration of his life will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 at the Albany Baptist Church in Albany, Okla. with Bro. Clark Harp officiating. Don’s final resting place will be the Albany Cemetery.
His pallbearers will be grandsons Aaron Mark Franklin, Colt Tray Franklin, Coby Clay Franklin, Cort Kray Franklin, Taylor Anthony Knox, and Matthew Donald Knox and son-in-laws Allen Franklin and Tony Knox.
The service will be available to view via live stream on the funeral home Facebook page at the time of the service.
Services are under the direction of Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Okla. www.holmescoffeymurray.com
