Cover photo for Dr. Donald Stanton's Obituary
Dr. Donald Stanton Profile Photo
1932 Dr. 2019

Dr. Donald Stanton

June 8, 1932 — October 30, 2019

Lake Junaluska

Lake Junaluska, N.C, Dr. Donald Stanton, age 87, passed away on October 30, 2019.

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, he was the son of Kenneth and Dorothy Stanton.  He served as President of Oglethorpe University in Atlanta from 1988 through 1999, becoming President Emeritus.  He is the former President for ten years at Adrian College in Michigan.  He also was Executive VP at Wesleyan College, on staff at the United Methodist Division of Higher Education and at Greensboro and Wofford Colleges.  Called out of retirement, in 2005 and 2006, he was Interim President at Haywood Community College.

Dr. Stanton was an ordained United Methodist Minister and a retired member of the Western North Carolina Conference.  He holds degrees from Western Maryland College (McDaniel College), Wesley Theological Seminary, The American University, and the University of Virginia where he earned his doctorate.  He has been awarded honorary doctorates by Columbia College, McDaniel College, Albion College, and Oglethorpe University.  The administration building at Adrian College was named for Dr. Stanton and his wife, Barbara.

In retirement, Dr. Stanton remained active in rotary, church, and serving on college and community boards.  He was a lifetime choir member and an accomplished bass-baritone soloist.  He has delivered addresses or papers related to higher education in Europe, Asia, North and South America.  Loving travel, Donald and his wife have visited every state in the US and every continent in the world.

Dr. Stanton is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara Hoot Stanton; twin daughters, Debra and Diane; son, Dale Stanton-Hoyle; sister, Donna Council; granddaughter, Sara Caparelli; and grandsons, Jeremiah Stanton-Rich and Eric Stanton-Hoyle.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at First United Methodist Church of Waynesville.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 -1:45 prior and also following the service.

Memorials may be made to Oglethorpe University Stanton Endowed Scholarship Fund 404-364-8330; or Five Talents c/o Dale Stanton-Hoyle 703-472-7679; or Lake Junaluska Garden of Memories 828-452-2881.

The care of Dr. Stanton has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dr. Donald Stanton, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Saturday, November 16, 2019

1:00 - 1:45 pm (Eastern time)

First United Methodist Church of Waynesville

566 S Haywood St, Waynesville, NC 28786

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Memorial Service

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Starts at 2:00 pm (Eastern time)

First United Methodist Church of Waynesville

566 S Haywood St, Waynesville, NC 28786

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Visitation following service

Saturday, November 16, 2019

First United Methodist Church of Waynesville

566 S Haywood St, Waynesville, NC 28786

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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