Russell T. Staats, Sr.
May 21, 1938 - May 31, 2020
Russell T. Staats, Sr., age 82, of Milford, DE, passed away on Sunday, May 31, 2020.
Born in Wilmington, DE on May 21, 1938, he was a son of the late Ritchie and Blanche (Wilson) Staats. Russell proudly served his country in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper. He worked as a fire fighter with the Wilmington Fire Department for 20 years, reaching the rank of lieutenant, and as a Deputy State Fire Marshal K-9 Handler (Midnight) with the State Fire Marshal’s office for 15 years. Russell was a member of the International Association of Fire Fighters.
He left this world a better place. Russell had great pride in his family and friends, which he always put first. He spent the best parts of his life married to his true love, Kathy, who he cherished and loved deeply. Russell loved to cook and could often be found making a delicious meal. He enjoyed traveling to Disney World and going to his home in Georgia. Russell’s greatest passion was coaching his kids’ baseball teams, and attending his grand and great grandchildren’s events. Anyone who knew Russell would tell you he was a true family man and a man who loved family, his friends and life.
In addition to his parents, Russell was preceded in death by his brother, Ritchie Staats, Jr.; and granddaughter, Ashley Nicole Staats. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn (Beck) Staats; children, Robin DeStefano (Luke) of Middletown, R. Thomas Staats, Jr. (Amy) of Greensboro, NC, Christopher Staats of Clayton, GA and Patrick Staats (Nina) of Newark; grandchildren, Alexa and Tessa DeStefano, Sarah and Hannah Staats and Gabrielle Springer; great grandchildren, Michael and Arianna Costello, and Grace and Kennan Seldomridge; sister-in-law, Helen Staats; and nieces, Carol Schafer and Janet Staats-Smith.
A public visitation will be held from 12 noon until 2 pm on Sunday, June 7, 2020, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 275 East Main Street, Middletown, DE, in compliance with COVID-19 regulations. Services and interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Russell’s memory to Faithful Friends, 12 Germay Drive, Wilmington, DE 19804.
Stephen Singleton
Kathryn and family, so sorry to hear of the passing of Russ. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. I know he will be greatly missed. Always enjoyed talking with him whenever I saw him.
Lauren savage
Kathy,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your family is in our thought and prayers during this difficult time.
Love Lauren, Matthew and the girls
Warwoman Volunteer Fire Department
Kathy,
We are so sorry for your loss. Russ was a great man and a great friend to us. He done as much for us as anyone to help get the equipment we needed to protect the community. We will miss him very much. If there is anything we can do for you just let us know.
Josh Bleckley
Jay Beck
He was a great man and amazing father !! Going to miss you bunches love ya Uncle Russ!!
Martha Darnell
So sorry for your loss.
Patti Ruditys
Katherine and family, Please accept our deepest sympathy in the loss of husband and father.Russ was a very special man and will be missed by many. Patti and Bill Ruditys
Joe & Gale Coughlin
Kathryn and family, we are so sorry for your loss. You have our deepest sympathy and are in our thoughts and prayers. … Our prayers are with you during this time. I was happy to have had a brief opportunity to meet both of you.
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.
Kathy Staats & Family
We would like to thank relatives and friends in the Warwoman Community for your messages of condolence. Russ would have been very proud to know that your thoughts were with us. He always felt he was part of the community even though when my father was alive and we came down he would say ” Yankee go home”. Again, thank you.
Averil Holgate
Russ, I have known you and Kathy since 1981 ! I shall remember our verbal altercations over our games of Scrabble and Dominoes and our disagreements over routes of travel. Especially on a return trip from Georgia when you lost your cool,got out of the car and told us that you would walk home,and found that you had 2 dollars in your pocket!! Kathy and l could not stop laughing!! Due to a multitude of physical illnesses which you bore with amazing fortitude,you hid behind a Grumpy Facade. I shall always remember you fondly as a remarkable character with a kindness that you tried not to show to people. Journey well to Eternity my dear friend. Averil.
Terri Evans
I was so sorry to hear about Russ. I worked on cases with him a long time ago, and always enjoyed talking with him.
Jimmy Facciolo
From my whole entire family we offer our deepest condolences for the passing of Russ. Such a great person, and friend to the Facciolo family all the way back from Geddes St., along with your whole entire family. Mom lives at the Little Sisters of the Poor, and offers her prayers that Russ and Joe are together again.
Lisa Logue
Katherine and Family,
It’s been many years since I’ve seen or talked to you guys…. You are always in my thoughts.. As I reminisce I remember my time as a teenager waiting for the weekend so I could come and stay with you guys….. Some of my best memories…. Russ you will be greatly missed….. Love to all. If anyone needs anything I’m a phone call away…. Love Lisa
Sharon Burg
Kathy and family, so very sorry for your loss! I am so sorry i can not be with you guys! Know that you are in my thought and prayers! You was so good to me when i was younger i can never forget the good times we had together! Love to you all! Sharon & Steve
JoAnn Ferguson
I am so very sorry to hear of the passing of Russ. He will always be rememberef as a wonderful neighbor on Geddes Street and a kind man. May the angels greet him at the gates of Heaven. Condolences and prayers to all of the family. JoAnn Facciolo Ferguson
Linda Beddia
I am so sorry for your loss! I have so many wonderful memories from Geddes St. Thinking of you all@
Arline Fisher
I met Russell in kindergarten at Harlan School and we met again in the state building many years later. I will miss calling him. Sorry for your loss.
Joe Facciolo
Sorry to hear that Russ Passed lots of memories of him. Prayers and love from my family to your family. Love Joe & Geralyn
Kenneth Rogers
Tom, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. I am sending my sincere condolences To you your mother, Amy and the rest of your family. I am so glad I got to meet Mr. Russ and yes he was As funny as you guys had described him. We are praying for strength and understanding for you and your family and may he R.I.P Love you my brother You have my deepest sympathy.
James Brown
My deepest sympathy and condolences are with the Staats family, Russell Staats was my first lieutenant on the Wilmington Fire Department he will be sadly missed gone but not forgotten
Ruth Perkins Slade
My sincere condolences to you Kathy and the family. Prayers to the family.
Ruth
Shawn Rhodes
To the Staats family, I am sorry for your loss. Mr Staats was my baseball coach when I played for A&F Machine and I really thought a lot of him. I wish I could have attended his service but Covid ruined everything. Best wishes.