Bobby Wayne Staton

Bobby Wayne Staton, 86, passed away peacefully in his home in the early morning hours of August 28, 2025.

Bobby was born to Roy and Ada Staton on October 6, 1938, and was a lifelong resident of Snyder. In 1960, he met the love of his life, Rita Johnston, and they married on November 26, 1960. Together they built a life they loved, filled with family and friends, almost making it to their 65th anniversary.

Bobby faced many challenges throughout his life, starting at a young age with rheumatic fever. Although things were not always easy, he met each challenge with grit and grace. No matter what he faced, you never met him that he didn’t offer you a smile and a handshake.

Bobby will best be remembered as a true cowboy and a gentleman. His love of horses began at an early age and Rita always jokingly said they were his 1st love and she was a close 2nd. He spent many years attending and working rodeos, as well as being a competitive team roper. Although many of his challenges were brought on by a horse and the fact that he couldn’t ride anymore, he still kept some around for pets until this last year when he finally admitted that he couldn’t safely take care of them anymore. You rarely saw him without his starched shirt (preferably white), jeans so heavily starched that they could stand by themselves, a cowboy hat,and a West Tx State Bank envelope in his shirt pocket. He was raised in a Christian home and it was important to he and Rita that they raise their children in the same way. Bobby was a deacon at Dunn Baptist Church and was an example of what a Godly man looked like. No words had to be spoken to know how he loved his Lord and all those that were important to him; he constantly displayed it through his actions. Recently, a friend of his said, ‘If you want to meet a good man, you can begin by shaking the hand of Bobby Staton.’

Bobby worked in the oilfield and gas plants, always displaying a work ethic to match none other. His dedication and hard work earned him the respect of his bosses and coworkers, many of which became good friends along the way.

He is survived by his wife, Rita Staton, daughter, Tammy Davis, son, Mark Staton, granddaughter and grandson, Shelbi & Zach Leatherwood and great granddaughters, Brynli, Brielle, and Brecklyn. He was looking forward to the birth of his only great grandson and namesake, RB Leatherwood. He loved his family with all his heart and they were the subject of many conversations when you’d run into him. He is also survived by his brother, Dean (Annette) Staton and sister, Linda (Eddie) Williams, as well as cherished nieces/nephews, great nieces/nephews, and cousins. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Roy & Ada Staton, sister, Betty Moore and her husband, Gene, in-laws Marcus and Modine Johnston, sister and brother-in-law, Norm & Charlene Trepke, and son-in-love, RB Davis.

A celebration of life will be held at Bell-Cypert-Seale chapel, with a private family graveside service at Dunn Cemetery on Tuesday, September 2nd at 10 am.

Bobby requested that attendees not wear black, so put on your favorite outfit and let’s celebrate a life well lived. Donations can be made in Bobby’s memory to the West Texas Boys Ranch 10223 Boys Ranch Road, San Angelo, Texas 76904-3665 or the Dunn Cemetery PO Box 181, Ira, TX 79527.