Kenneth Dale Stanton

Ken was born in Brewster, Florida on March 14, 1938, and lived in Wauchula, Florida. He graduated from Hardee County Junior Senior High School, where he played varsity football, was Senior Class President, and participated in numerous school activities. He attended the University of Florida, and in 1960 received a Bachelor of Design in Advertising Design. While at the University of Florida, Ken participated in the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps and was a brother in the fraternity, Beta Theta Pi. He continued his education at the University of South Florida, obtaining a Master’s of Arts Degree in Education in 1968.

Upon college graduation, Ken was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army and served from 1960-1963. While in the Army, he graduated first in his class at flight school, became a helicopter pilot, and served as an army aviator and flight instructor certified in fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Ken completed a tour in Vietnam, where he flew over 100 combat missions as a helicopter flight leader with the 33rdTransport Unit.

When his service for his country was complete, Ken relocated to Tampa, Florida and began a career in education with the University of South Florida. On March 31, 1995, after 31 years, he retired from U.S.F. as a Director and former Assistant Dean. While at USF, Ken was instrumental in planning and establishing WUSF TV Channel 16, and ultimately served as an assistant general manager for the TV and radio stations.

Ken's true passion throughout his senior years was the Boy Scouts of America. He served the organization in multiple leadership roles enhancing the program and influencing young men on the local, state, national and international level. He, along with his sons, earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America, and was elected to the Order of the Arrow, the National Honor Society of the Boy Scouts of America. He was influential in training adult scout leaders in the Wood Badge program and at Philmont, the Boy Scouts of America’s premier High Adventure Base in New Mexico. He participated in National and World Jamborees, traveling throughout the US, Chile, Amsterdam and Thailand. Ken received the Silver Beaver Award, a council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America.

Ken is survived by his wife of 58 years, Gayle Moore Stanton, daughter Martha Ree Collins, son Kenneth Dale Stanton II and his wife Patricia, son Keith Bevis Stanton, and sister Anneta Stanton Kraus. His survivors include grandchildren Connor and Olivia Collins, Lauren and Courtney Baldwin, and Devin Conway. His great-grandchildren include Courtney and Cameron Baldwin, and Faith Highbrown.

Predeceasing Ken was his mother Doris Sloat Stanton, father Arthur L. Stanton (Killed in Action in WWII) and Doyle Hugh Moore (brother-in-law). Kenneth will be laid to rest at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell Florida with full military honors on Thursday, October 25, 2018, at 11:30 a.m.

Those who so desire may make memorial donations in memory of Ken to: Camp Owen J. Brorein, Greater Tampa Bay Area Council Boy Scouts of America, 16901 Boy Scout Rd, Odessa, Florida, 33556; Philmont Scout Ranch, Attn: CHQ, 17 Deer Run Road, Cimarron, New Mexico, 87714, or the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, VHPA Endowment, 2100 N Highway 360, Suite 907, Grand Prairie, Texas, 75050.