MILTON "SONNY" STATON

Sonny & I were best of friends in High School. We both played football and swam on the swim team together. We partied a lot in our high school and college years. Sonny built one of the very first cabins up at Bear Valley Village. We also used to ski a lot together when my wife and I stayed at his cabin. We will always miss the great times we had together with Sonny & Cynthia.

Everybody who swam at Jack Chappell's Swimming Club knew who Sonny was. I really didn't know him but one of the highlights of my Senior year at Lodi High was attending a basketball game at the Grape Pavilion and ran into Sonny who was wearing a really sharp red velvet jacket with tan leather sleeves. On the front was embroidered Stockton College Water Polo League Champs. I wanted to be just like him. I signed up for water polo at Stockton College my Freshman year and that fall played...

Teric and Shelly, I am so sorry to hear of your fathers passing, he was always such a pleasure to be around. Growing up spending my high school years at your house brings back so many great memories. Your mom and dad were "cool" to say the least. They were always so supportive of you guys. They always made us feel very welcome. I know you guys will miss him, but he is now reunited with your mother in heaven. God Bless

So sorry to hear about Sonny. What a wonderful person. All my best to Shelly and Teric.

I grew up in the same neighborhood as Sonny. We hung out at Chappell's Swimming Club all summer. One time Sonny cut a 5" X 10 " hold in a five gallon bucket, then glued and fastened a piece of plastic over the hole making a window. He then cut a hole in the bottom and attached an air hose with a hand pump on the other end. Lloyd Watson and/or George Gallespie pumped air into the bucket and Sonny walked around the 12' deep pool. It actually worked, he didn't drown. A few years later...