Kenneth E. Stanton

Kenneth E. Stanton - Metter -Kenneth E. Stanton was born in Pasadena, CA in 1912 to Edwin M. Stanton and Hazel Hill Stanton. As a young boy, he and his family lived on ranches in Colorado and Kansas. Ken taught himself to play the trumpet at seven years old and later became first chair trumpet in the Wichita High School band. After graduating from high school in 1930, he worked his way through college, playing professionally with his own and other dance bands. He received two Bachelor of Science degrees from Friends University in Wichita and a Masters Degree in Music from the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, NY. In 1935, he became a music teacher and started a high school band in Arlington, KS. Later, he became band director for the Covington County High School. During World War II, he was a Captain in the U.S. Army, serving as a Music Officer with Army bands to provide morale for the troops. After the war, he moved to Marietta, GA and continued with the Army band programs for the Veterans Administration. At that time there was no music education program in Cobb County schools, Mr. Stanton founded six high school bands for the Cobb County school system and served as director for each school until replacement band directors could be found. From this beginning, the Cobb County school music education program grew over the years to be one of the best in the nation. In 1949, Mr. Stanton established a music retail business in Marietta, GA, Ken Stanton Music, Inc., to provide musical instruments and music education for students and school systems. Over the years, additional retail stores were opened in Roswell, Snellville, Woodstock and West Cobb. In 1957, he married Jane Trapnell Dale, and they worked together and raised their family in Marietta until their retirement in 1979 when they moved to Metter, GA . Ken Stanton Music, Inc. continues in operation under the management of his son, Kenny Stanton. Through the years, Mr. Stanton served his community in many ways. He was on the Board of the American Music Conference, the National Association of Music Merchants, and the Economic Council of the Music Industry. He was a former president of the Marietta Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow, and an active member of the Metter Rotary Club. He was president of the Cobb County Boys Club, Commodore of the Allatoona Yacht Club and the Willow Lake County Club. He was a member of the Metter United Methodist Church. Ken and his wife Jane have been active motor home enthusiasts for 30 years and traveled often with friends with three motor home clubs. An avid bridge player from a young age, he taught, at no charge, anyone who wanted to learn the game, and played as often as possible. He enjoyed golf with his son and grandson. He is survived by his wife, Jane Trapnell Stanton of Metter with whom he would have celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary in August; a son and daughter-in-law, Kenny and Tina Stanton of Marietta; three daughters and a son-in-law, Dana Haviland of Los Altos, CA, Nancy and Bill Main of Raleigh, NC and Mindy Stanton of Stonewall, OK; a sister, Phyllis Row of Santa Barbara, CA; brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Sue Trapnell of Marietta; seven grandchildren, Heidi Rager of Denver, CO, David DeLoach of Rocky Mount, NC, Karen Battle of Wake Forest, NC, Ryan DeLoach of Kansas City, MO, Mimi Wilson of Acworth, Zack Stanton of Marietta and Kathryn Stanton of Marietta; four great grandchildren, Timothy DeLoach, Robert Battle, Nathan Battle and C.B. Wilson. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Virginia Stanton Roberts of Fowler, Kansas. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 2:00 PM at the Metter United Methodist Church with burial in the Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday evening 6:00-8:00 PM at Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel. Remembrances may be made to the school or church music program of your choice. Kennedy Funeral Homes Hooks Chapel, Metter 912-685-2131 Savannah Morning News April 6, 2007 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at www.savannahnow.com