Larry Don Staats

Larry Don Staats LAYTON – Larry Don Staats, 63, died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, December 29, 2008. He was born September 14, 1945 in Durango, Colorado. He was raised by his loving grandparents Jeff and Beatrice Simmons, on a farm in Cahone, Colorado. Larry was very proud to be a U.S. Marine during the Vietnam War. He served near the DMZ 1966-67, receiving two purple hearts. He also took pride in his 30 year career in law enforcement as a cop, detective and arson investigator for Dolores and Montezuma County Sheriff departments in Colorado. He was married to Margo Voden, later divorced, Donna Joy Dodson, later divorced. In 1995 he retired from the Sheriff’s Department, moved to Utah and married Kristine Murdock. They were later divorced, but still in love and planning a new future together. He is survived by his two children Ryan Miles Staats, Salt Lake City; Ashley Nicole Staats, Layton; step-daughters Ashley (Ryan) Cornia, Amelia McCallum, Layton; step-son, John McCallum, Ogden; and two granddaughters, Kaylee and Kaitlynn Cornia, Layton. His brother Don (Sandra) Staats, nephew Trevor, Salisbury, MD; nephew, Brian Staats, Boston, MA; and niece Donna Hennessy, Virginia. Larry loved photography, gathering with family and friends, Kaylee’s soccer games and the Denver Broncos and cooking BBQ for everyone. He was an amazing, loving, and giving man. It will be hard not to see his smiling face each morning. He will no longer be haunted by the horrible nightmares he suffered after so many years of reliving what he endured in Vietnam. We are glad he is now at peace with that. Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 11 a.m. at the LDS Chapel, 1480 W. Phillips St., Kaysville (faces Flint Street). We would like to especially thank the Patriot Guard Riders for being there to honor him. Funeral directors, Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road. In lieu of flowers please make donations at any Wells Fargo Bank in Larry’s name.