Douglas Rhodell Stanton

Stanton, Douglas Rhodell
90, of Greenville, NY and Phoenix, AZ passed away peacefully on Friday, June 28. He was born on September 11, 1922 to Ethel Kniffen Stanton and Rhodell Stanton in the family farmhouse on Route 32, Greenville, NY. A graduate of Greenville Central School in 1939, Doug was active in 4-H, cattle and livestock judging, and was the catcher on the school baseball team. He was the 100h generation to continue the proud tradition of farming the Old Homestead Farm, which has been in the family since 1787. In 1987 it was designated a New York State Bicentennial Farm. Doug loved his award-winning Guernsey cows and was active in the Capital District Guernsey Club, a leader of the Albany County Dairy Club, Director of the New York Artificial Breeders Cooperative and a member of the Guernsey Sire Selection Committee. Doug married Marjorie Lemka of Schodack, NY in 1949 and together they raised six children on their dairy farm. Doug was President of D. Stanton Associates, Inc, an insurance agency he and Marge built and ran until their retirement in 1987. Doug was very active in his church and community. He was a member of the South Westerlo Congregational Christian Church. He served on various church committees and was a Deacon for many years. He was past-President of the Board of Directors of the Albany County Cooperative Extension. After Marge passed away in 1988 he moved to Arizona, residing in Sedona and Phoenix. He married Jeanne Beydler of Phoenix in 1992 and they enjoyed over 21 years together. In retirement he was active in postcard collecting, hiking with Jeanne, and watching his life-long favorites, the Chicago Cubs. He eagerly looked forward to coming back East in the summers to help out at the farm stand while watching his son, Tim, and grandson, Nick, continue the farming operation. In his later years he was lovingly cared for by his devoted daughters, Heidi and Barbara. Doug is survived by his loving wife Jeanne of Phoenix, AZ, his caring brother Bernard (Lara) of Ithaca, NY, and his "most precious assets" his children, Don (Ellen) of Alexandria, VA, Barbara (John) Johnson of Crown Point, NM, Sandra (Larry) Sloane of Menands, NY, Heidi Caine of Phoenix, AZ, Victoria (Matthew) Sweeney of Glenmont, NY, Timothy (Colleen) of Feura Bush, NY and step-son John (Cheryl) Beydler of Chandler, AZ. Doug was the proud grandfather of 16 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his beloved first wife, Marjorie and his grandson Ben Johnson. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 18, at 1PM at the South Westerlo Congregational Christian Church.