Lee Staton November 3, 1934 – January 25, 2019

Born Augustus Lee Staton III, Lee, as we know him, was a true Santa Ana native, living, working and raising his family here until he passed at the age of 84. Lee spent his school years in Santa Ana and ended up as the Senior class president of Santa Ana High. After high school, Lee attended UCLA for undergrad where he achieved his Phi Beta Kappa key and then attended law school.

A short time after passing the bar exam, Lee and Mary met at a dinner party that both of their families attended. Their fathers had served in the Air National Guard together. Mary was on break from Fresno State where she was getting her degree in Education. Lee was smitten. They began dating and were married in June of 1961. Lee and Mary built their home on the hill on Villa Rose Drive when the neighborhood was still just open fields. They had two sons, first Augie (Augustus Lee Staton IV) in 1965, and then Ed in 1967.

Lee began his career at the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office, then moved to the Orange County D.A.’s office where he would spend the next 34 years until his retirement as a Supervising Deputy District Attorney.

Lee had a curious mind and he explored many interests throughout his life. His love of astronomy led him be a guide and lecturer at Griffith Observatory in college, and also to teach an Astronomy course at Pepperdine College. Lee was also a talented pianist. He first learned classical, and then, upon discovering he could play by ear, took up playing honky-tonk, which he was paid to play at Dude’s Pizza Parlor in his college days. Lee also took up genealogy, farming, painting, and historical research. He became an active member of the Native Sons of the Golden West and the Orange County Museum Society.

In retirement, Lee and Mary enjoyed a very active social life, entertaining friends, traveling and exploring Europe, Mexico, Canada, and the U.S., and enjoying time with their 7 grandkids.

Lee will best be remembered for his kindness, his wry chuckle and the twinkle in his eye, his great love for Mary, and the care he took of his family.