Pastor Mark Andrew Staton, Sr.'s Obituary
Reverend Pastor Mark Andrew Staton, Sr. (G-Pop), was born on Wednesday, December 3, 1952 at Florence Crittenton Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. He was the third of four sons born to Chester Mack and Odessa Staton. He was intelligent, as friends recall, Mark walked to his own beat even as a child. Thomas Staton, his youngest brother, remembers how Mark taught him the basics of life as a young boy: how to stay out of trouble, how to shoot a basketball, and how to roughhouse without getting caught.
Mark A. Staton, Sr. was preceded in death by his parents; Chester Mack Staton and Odessa Staton, and by his two eldest brothers; Chester Staton and Henry Staton.
Mark A. Staton, Sr. graduated from Ferndale High School in Ferndale, Michigan in 1971. He was also an active member and starter of the varsity basketball team. Mark A. Staton, Sr. was a proud resident of Royal Oak Township in Oakland County, where he and his family had lived for most of his life. He had developed lifelong friendships with Michael Henderson and Gerald Gatewood, both of whom share memories filled with laughter and philosophical conversations.
Mark A. Staton, Sr. was introduced to a young woman by the name of Dinah Marsha McLittle at the age of fifteen. Six years of friendship and courting led to their marital union on May 17, 1974 in Toledo, Ohio. This beautiful marriage yielded four sons of their own: Mark (34), Marcus (32), Michael (30), and Matthew (27). Mark A. Staton, Sr. loved taking his sons to the airport to watch the planes take off and land as the boys watched, in amazement, at what seemed like magic. He did not just teach them about aerodynamics in their childhood. In their youth, Mark taught his sons about carpentry, mechanics, but most importantly, about the love of God and their need for a personal relationship with Him.
Mark A. Staton, Sr. attended Wayne State University for four years, and was also a student of theology with The Southern California School of Ministry. He also received an honorable discharge from the Armed Services in 1973. After he returned home he furthered his passions for technology, social awareness and equality within the Black community, and ministry. Mark A. Staton, Sr. was employed with the Pipefitters Association-Union Local 636 as a certified trainer, steamfitter, and pipefitter from 1984 until 2004, after an injury sustained while on the job prevented him from continued employment.
Rev. Mark A. Staton, Sr. was honored to become the Senior Pastor at State Fair Avenue Church of God in 1992. He had long since accepted his call to the ministry and found it to be a humbling, and equally rewarding, experience. He, along with his wife and children by his side, served State Fair Avenue Church of God for 18 years. The congregation had grown to be more than just people gathering twice a week; they had become family with the singular purpose of glorifying God.
In 2004, Pastor Mark Staton, Sr. became a Regional Company Driver for Werner Enterprise, taking him on the road and away from his family and congregation for much of the week and even on Sundays. This was heartbreaking for Pastor Staton, and he eventually decided to resign from Werner Enterprises in 2008 in order to pastor full-time until the doors of State Fair Avenue Church of God closed in 2010, which was one of the most painful days of his life.
Reverend Pastor Mark A. Staton, Sr. had many accomplishments to be celebrated. However, he would have considered these to be most cherished: his role as husband to his wife of forty-one years, father to his boys, and pastor to his congregation. Well, that is, until he discovered the joy of being a grandfather. After which, even his title changed. From 2009, Reverend Pastor Mark A. Staton, Sr. insisted upon being called “G-Pop” above all else. He was a man of exuberant humor, but also of deep-thought. G-Pop had a special affinity for technology, while also taking time to play chess and teach the game to others. He enjoyed life, he loved people, and he was never too serious to have fun.
On Wednesday morning, February 24, 2016, at the age of 63, Rev. Pastor Mark A. Staton, Sr. continued his Christian journey on the other side of eternity. In his earthly death, he is survived by his wife; Dinah M. Staton, four sons; Mark (Jessica) Staton II, Marcus (Monet) Staton, Michael A. Staton, and Matthew A. Staton, and one brother; Thomas (Wanda & Amari) Staton, all of the state of Michigan. Also, G-Pop leaves to mourn, four grandchildren; Marcus A. Staton, Mark A. Staton III, Matthew A. Staton, Madilyn R. Staton, and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family.
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