Edward Oscar Staben Jr.

1923 - 2010

Edward Oscar Staben, Jr. (87) went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thanksgiving morning, November 25, 2010. It was a day to give thanks for his wonderful life. He was a life-long resident of Santa Paula.

He was born on March 24th, 1923, to Edward and Anna "Peggy" Staben. His father was a foreman on the The Limoneira Ranch where he took Ed in his buggy while checking the various working crews. His father had a special "smaller size" picking sack made for Ed so he could pick lemons with the workers. Ed spoke of his father as his favorite teacher, who built a workshop in back of their house and taught him woodworking. His father was also his Scoutmaster. Ed attended Briggs Elementary School. Following graduation from SPUHS in 1941, he attended Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo to major in agriculture.

In November of 1942 he was recruited into the Marine Corps. and was sent to the University of Redlands for the V-12 program training to be a Marine officer. While training in Quantico, Virginia he was appointment to 2nd Lieutenant. He was then assigned to the 5th Marine Division in Hilo, Hawaii, arriving the same day the Japanese surrendered. Ed went to Japan as a member of the occupation forces for a year and then on to Guam until his honorable discharge in 1946. He remained a reserve officer and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in 1948. In March of 1951, Ed was called back into service during the Korean Conflict. He served as a troop's liaison officer at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, CA until his service was completed in Aug. of 1952.

After his first tour of duty, Ed returned to his home town Santa Paula where he worked for a construction firm who built labor housing on the Limoneira Ranch. He continued building houses as a freelance carpenter. He helped form and became the first president of the 20/30 Club which helped the community by organizing youth groups; leading Boy Scout troops, and handled the downtown Main Street Christmas decorations for years.

During this time his friends introduced him to Laura, a Southern Belle, who grew up in Monroe, Louisiana and had moved to Ventura after she graduated from high school. The arranged date was at the local Citrus Festival where they took a liking to one another. One year later they were married in the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Paula. Ed, with Laura by his side, was active in every facet of this church including the Trustees and Elders.

Prior to his longtime career as a real estate broker, which included being the President of the Santa Paula/Fillmore Board of Realtors, he was a licensed general contractor, building many homes in Santa Paula. The Santa Paula City Council appointed Ed, with his knowledge of local real estate, to the Planning Commission. He was a member of the Oddfellows Lodge, Optimist Club, (Past President), and the Santa Paula High School Alumni Association. Ed was a generous supporter of numerous local charities and worthwhile causes.

We are so thankful for such a loving husband, dad and grandfather who cherished his family and would do anything for them. He was a very likeable guy with a great sense of humor and had many friends who will miss him dearly. He loved fishing, hiking, golf and traveling in a motor home, often with groups of friends. We want to thank God for him and celebrate his life through all the wonderful memories we hold dear.

Ed is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Laura, and was preceded in death by his parents, Edward O. Staben Sr. and Anna "Peggy" Staben. They were blessed with three daughters, Paula Rushing (Scott), Sally Staben, and Nancy Zdenek (James). Grandchildren are Tyler and Hillary Rushing, Brittany Zdenek-Jost (Brian), Julie, Michael, and Makalie Zdenek, and sister in law Louise Wright(Hal).

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Paula Endowment Fund or the Santa Clara Valley Hospice, 133 N. Mill St., Santa Paula, CA, 93060.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, December 5th, 2 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church. 121 Davis Street, Santa Paula, 93060.

Arrangements are under the direction of Skillin Carroll Mortuary, 738 E. Santa Paula St., Santa Paula, Ca 805-525-3391