Obituary of Donald Leonard Stanton

Donald Leonard Stanton, age 75, a long-time resident of Chandler, AZ, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Monday, October 16, 2023, at Chandler Regional Medical Center, following post-surgery complications from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.  Don, a cancer survivor, demonstrated strength and courage throughout his life.

 

Fondly known as Don or Donny, he was full of love as a husband to Lori Habeger, father to Nicolle Mueller (Jairo Giraldo), grandfather to Cassandra Stanton (Evan Blunier) and Jase Mueller, and brother to Daniel (twin) and Dean Stanton (Rachel Brehm).  He also loved his family of in-laws that he remained in close contact through weekly Skype calls.  He joins his parents, Stanley (“Duke”) and Dorothy (nee Gouley) Stanton, and son Craig Stanton, who preceded him in death.

 

Don was born on May 12, 1948, in Racine, WI.  After graduating Park High School in 1967, he served our country in the United States Coast Guard, Alameda, CA, from 1967 to 1968, followed by the United States Coast Guard Reserve, Racine, WI, until 1973.  He participated in emergency search and rescue missions on the west coast and Lake Michigan.  For the next several years, he worked construction with his Uncle Leonard Stanton and later Johnson’s Wax in Racine, WI.

 

In 1980 Don moved to Phoenix, AZ, to join his twin brother Daniel.  Two years later Don met the love of his life Lori, and they began their 41-year journey as a family.  He spent his 30-year career as a Machinist and Manufacturing Engineer with one aerospace company, Garrett AiResearch, which later became AlliedSignal and then Honeywell.  During his career, he worked on several projects within the aerospace defense industry and enjoyed programming and planning.  He had extensive knowledge in machining and assembly processes and computer-integrated technology.

 

Don’s contributions to his family remained his greatest purpose in life.  He continually engaged his children and grandchildren by staying connected with the latest news, technology and games.  He called his twin brother daily to discuss any IT issues or to chat about the news.  On Sunday morning, like clockwork, he called his younger brother Dean in Racine.

 

Don exemplified his role as a husband, father, grandfather and brother by taking opportunities to teach and lead by example.  He had a passion for details, technology and digital devices and served as the family’s IT Department.  If he didn’t know the answer, he would research it.  Some of his favorite times were enjoying family, fishing, playing video games with the grandkids, solving Sudoku puzzles, listening to tunes, admiring classic cars/trucks, making waffles and eggs for breakfast and smoking meat on the Louisiana pellet grill.  And, of course, he was an Arizona Diamondbacks and Green Bay Packers fan.

 

Don was loved very much by his family and friends and will be missed!  A registered star in the heavens was named in his honor.  If you are a stargazer, please visit telescopic coordinates Perseus RA 4h 22m 0s D 39d 11’.

 

A Celebration of Life was held on October 19, 2023, with family and friends.