ROBERT STANTON STAATS

Robert Stanton Staats, age 72, of Raymore, Missouri passed away July 20, 2019 at the University of Kansas Medical Center surrounded by loving family.

A Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Monday, July 29, 2019 at Cullen Funeral Home, 612 W. Foxwood Dr., Raymore, MO.  Immediately following at 12:00 p.m. a Funeral Service will be held at Cullen Funeral Home.  A burial service will follow at Raymore Cemetery, Raymore, MO.  Attire for the service is casual and more appropriate is Kansas City Chiefs apparel in memory of Robert.

Robert was born on September 3, 1946 in Kansas City, Missouri to Earl C. Staats and Annabelle (Galloway) Staats.  Robert lived in Kansas City, Grandview, and later Raymore, Missouri.  He graduated from Southeast High School in 1965 where he was active in track and football becoming first string during his high school football career.

Football proved to be a huge love in Robert's life as he was the Chiefs' number one fan.  From proudly flying his Chiefs' flag to building a Chiefs' mailbox, he left no doubt in anyone's mind who he would be cheering for on a Sunday in September.

Family was the most important thing in his life.  Growing up he spent many summers, holidays, and weekends on the farm with aunts, and uncles who played endless jokes on him.  But it was done in love and those ties that were made in childhood remained throughout their lives. His brother, Richard, though eleven years older, was a huge presence and influence in his life.  Richard taught him how to fish, hunt, and guided him as he grew up.  Sadly, Richard passed away from a gunshot accident and Robert lost not only a brother, but also his best friend.  He was also preceded in death by his older sister, Carolyn Schroer, who was his protector, and often the butt of his teasing growing up,  remaining a staunch ally throughout her life.

In life, Robert was blessed with two daughters, Robyn and Stacie, and a stepson, Matthew.  In the summer of 1993, Robert was joined in marriage with wife, Lela Annabelle (he just couldn't get away from women named Annabelle) (Meador) Staats on July 26 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

Robert had much in life to be grateful for, but his one regret, like many fathers, was spending so much time working that he didn't have as much time to spend with his family as he would have liked.  For twenty-seven years, Robert worked as a Produce Manager for Safeway and Food Barn then six years for Pace Warehouse, currently Sam's Club.  After leaving Sam's Club, he worked at a locally owned grocery store, Bowe's Price Chopper until his illness with pancreatic cancer in September of 1999.  After a year off to recover, Robert returned to work at Bowe's until he retired in 2003.

Robert and Annie lived on three acres in Raymore, Missouri where they both enjoyed working outside, she in her rose and flower gardens and he in the vegetable garden he planted every year. Together they would can the vegetables and fruit they grew, but his specialty was homemade salsa with tomatoes and jalapenos from the garden that he enjoyed sharing with friends and numerous others.  He also enjoyed working outdoors on his landscaping,  For many years you would find him outside, shirtless, in spite of warnings from his oncologist about skin cancer.

He was a gregarious person who enjoyed entertaining, the largest of which was his and Annie's annual 4 ^th of July celebration which always featured his "world famous" smoked meats and baked beans.  He relished putting on as big a fireworks display that the budget would allow to express his patriotism.  In that, he remained a kid at heart with a love for his country that couldn't be questioned.

Robert is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Lela Annabelle Staats (Always Annie to him), Robyn Debenedetto (Nicholas) and Stacie Calvert (Chauncey): son Matthew Burns: eight grandchildren, Jacob Calvert, Chandler Calvert, Alec Weiner, Allison Weiner, Zachary DeBenedetto, Nicholas Debenedetto,  Matthew DeBenedetto , and Tarah Burns: two great grandchildren, Kamdyn and Kloe Burns.

While we mourn our loss, we cherish the 20 years God extended his life here on earth.  In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the National Pancreatic Foundation:  P.O. Box 1848, Longmont, CO 80502

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri 816-322-5278