You would find more than just family members to describe John as the kindest, gentlest and most brilliant person to have been born on October 5, 1941. Born to Eugenia Cherry Stayton and John William Stayton in Austin, he came from a long line of distinguished jurists including Justice Robert W. Stayton and John’s father Jack, founding member of the law firm Black & Stayton. John would not escape his professional destiny in spite of a strong yearning to become a sea captain of an ocean-going liner (a dream that he never quite abandoned).
John was to be the last in the line of successive John W. Staytons, as he and his wife Susan produced a house of females which John accepted with much love and good grace. He was extremely proud of his twin daughters Catherine and Jennifer. His family was the entity closest to his heart, causing and influencing certain changes in his life. A dog person growing up, he welcomed and adored a multitude of cats into his home during his adult lifetime, usually a couple (at least) of cats at a time. A cradle Methodist, he became an Episcopalian and joined St. David’s Episcopal Church where he was both confirmed and married.
After family, three entities were nearest and dearest to John’s heart. He revered everything about the Old Austin where he grew up and about which he remembered and treasured the smallest detail. He had his favorites: Wooldridge Elementary School about which he recalled each teacher and her pedagogy as well as the roles of his fellow students. (though he thought the cafeteria food could have been better!). He loved many aspects of the Austin of his youth including his Boy Scout troop and Friday Mountain Camp; favorite restaurants such as the Night Hawk and the Piccadilly; events such as 25-cent Saturday afternoon movies; and concerts in Gregory Gym and the old Austin Coliseum.
The next passion of his life briefly removed him from Austin and placed him at Williams College in the Berkshire mountains in the far northwestern corner of Massachusetts. Except for his family life, these would be the happiest years of his life. He embraced the liberal arts education there with renowned professors, small classes, and unlimited opportunities for intellectual growth. But above all of that is the special, almost mystical spirit that binds these Ephs to each other and to the college for life. After college, John returned to Texas to study law. Yet he attended many class reunions until his declining health prevented travel. He returned like a homing pigeon not just to “peep” the fall leaves or to attend the Amherst-Williams rivalry football game, but also to re-connect with his fellow Ephs and the campus he treasured so dearly.
The third category will come as no surprise: John’s University of Texas Longhorns in all sports, but most especially in football. John grew up attending Texas football games and then did so with his own children. John could seemingly recall and describe every play as well as every player of every UT football game. John remained a devoted Longhorn fan, no matter the record of wins and losses.
John will be remembered and honored for his many professional accomplishments, from UT Law Review to his entire adult career spent as an associate and then partner (and expert in legal conflicts) at the law firm of McGinnis Lochridge in Austin. His intellect and his brilliance are well known and recognized. But most people have no idea of the amount of legal service he provided to those in need without any recognition or remuneration.
John was a kind, tender-hearted, generous and caring man. May God grant him an eternity of those ocean voyages which he didn’t get to take while here on earth.
John is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Susan; his daughter Catherine; step-grandson Joao Correa; family member Brad Richter; daughter Jennifer; son-in-law Charles Mead; step-granddaughter Samantha Mead; and many cousins and extended family members. He also treasured his beloved feline companion D’Andelot.
The family would like to extend their deep gratitude to the many medical professionals and caregivers who treated John with such expert and tender care, Clinicians Tammis Chadwell, Kathy Cody, Chelsey Hagy, Karl Koenig, Michael Krol, Trenton Titus, and caregivers Chantal, Dedra, Denise, Eucalence, Rosa, Savion, Shewit, and Winnie were indefatigable in their efforts, becoming family through their immeasurable dedication to John.
Following a private burial, a celebration of John’s life is being planned for this fall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Austin or The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center.
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