David Lee Staten

August 25, 1951 – February 23, 2026

David Lee Staten died in Louisville, Kentucky, on February 23, 2026, after a lengthy illness. He was born in Ashland, Kentucky, on August 25, 1951.

David grew up in Ashland, where much of his youth centered around Central Park. He lived there with his family while his father served as the park superintendent. His mother ran the park concession stand, providing what many remember as wonderful park food, and David spent countless hours there playing baseball. He was an athlete through and through.

In his youth, David was a member of the Ashland State Little League championship teams in 1963 and 1964. He played baseball and basketball at Paul Blazer High School, winning the 1967 and 1968 state baseball championships and finishing as state runner-up in 1969. His basketball team also reached the quarterfinals of the state high school tournament. David took great pride in later being inducted into the Ashland Central Park Hall of Fame.

David attended Eastern Kentucky University, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. He played for the EKU baseball team for two years and was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. It was there that he met his wife, Topsy. They were married on October 30, 1976, and shared the same birthday—August 25—celebrating 55 birthdays together. They spent 38 years of their married life in Lexington, Kentucky, before moving to Louisville in 2014.

David served as a teacher and microcomputer specialist for Fayette County Public Schools from 1975 to 2012. He spent most of his teaching career at Bryan Station Junior/Middle School teaching seventh-grade language arts. As technology entered classrooms, he transitioned into instructional technology, helping bring computers into his school and supporting teachers and students in using them.

David loved being outdoors. He took great care of his family, home, and yard. He was a thoughtful gift giver and a loving husband, father, and grandfather—a role he cherished every day. He had a special way with animals and had wonderful dogs who were his constant companions. He enjoyed attending plays, concerts, and festivals. Many springs and summers were spent coaching his son’s baseball teams and traveling throughout the East and Midwest with a van full of boys to tournaments.

Shopping with his daughter and planting red tulips for her birthday were some of his favorite things to do. His three granddaughters will remember sharing Cheetos with him, working in the yard, and feeding the birds. David loved dancing with them to his favorite tunes, holding them on his lap, and reading them books.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon Lee Staten and Gladys White Staten.

David is survived by his wife of 49½ years, Ruth “Topsy” Robinson Staten; his son, Zachary Eli Staten; and his daughter, Kasey Lee Scheper, her husband, Joe Scheper, and their daughters, Campbell Rose, Delaney Lee, and Bennett Kate—the light and joy of his life.

David is also survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Gordon “Sonny” and Dorothy Staten of Hebron, Kentucky, and William “Bill” and Alice Staten of Cairo, Georgia; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Paul “Clancy” and Phyllis Robinson; and his sister-in-law, Kay Robinson, all of Lexington, Kentucky. He was preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Jeri White, and his brother-in-law, Franklin “Butch” Robinson. He is also survived by eight nieces and nephews and fifteen great-nieces and great-nephews.

David’s greatest joy was his family, and especially the time he spent with his three granddaughters.

Our family is deeply grateful to Dr. Kommor and the Baptist Health Cancer Center; Dr. Gul and the Baptist Health Thoracic Surgery Group; and Dr. Lori Earnshaw and the Hosparus Health Louisville team for their compassionate care, and to all who walked alongside David and our family during this time.

Donations in David’s memory may be made to Kentucky Educational Television (KET), the V Foundation for Cancer Research, or Hosparus Health Louisville.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, May 31, 2026, from 2:00–5:00 p.m. at Yuko-En on the Elkhorn, 700 US-25, Georgetown, Kentucky, with a brief service followed by live music and barbecue. Casual dress is encouraged.