Terry Staton, 78

Terrel (Terry) Staton, 78, of Tucson, Arizona, formerly of Mountain Home, died Jan. 24, 2005, after a long fight with cancer.

At his request, he was cremated in Arizona. A graveside memorial service for family and friends will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday Feb. 18, at MountainView Cemetery in Mountain Home. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, Mountain Home.

Terry was born on June 26, 1926, in rural North Carolina. He entered the Army in October 1944, and was assigned to various stateside and overseas bases until his retirement from the Air Force in December 1970. He was awarded numerous service medals including a Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge and four Air Force Commendation Medals.

After retiring from the military, he worked as the Ground Safety Manager at the Air Force Accounting and Finance Center, Denver, Colo., Mather AFB, Calif., Malmstrom AFB, Mont., and Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs, Colo. He concluded his career in July 1985.

In 1949 while stationed at Mountain Home AFB, Terry met and married Norma Ellen "Tillie" Mellen, the daughter of Harry and Norma Mellen. They had four children, Sandra, Michael, Terrell and Richard. Tillie died in April 1988.

Later, while living in Colorado Springs, Colo., he married Sharon Pavlin on April 24, 1993. They moved to Tucson where they had enjoy retirement and their many friends and neighbors at Desert Pueblo Mobile Home Park.

He is survived by: his wife, Sharon; four children; four stepchildren; 18 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Memorial contribution made in Terry's name to Sunrise Chapel, 8421 East Wrightstown Rd., Tucson, AZ 85715.