Juneau and Sitka resident Ryan Norman “Ballin’ State” Staton, 24, tragically passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2014.
A memorial will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 21, at Glacier Gardens, 7600 Glacier Highway, Juneau. His family invites everyone who loved Ryan as much as they did to attend and share his life with them.
There will be a celebration of life in Sitka at a later date.
Ryan was born Nov. 22, 1989, in Juneau to Norman and Donna (Knight) Staton, and two older sisters, Katie and Tess.
He attended Valley Baptist Academy, Glacier Valley Elementary, Floyd Dryden Middle School, and shared his high school years at Juneau-Douglas High School and Sitka High School, graduating in 2008.
After high school, he attended Western Oregon University.
Ryan was of Tsimshian descent, a member of the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, and a shareholder of Shee Atika Inc. and Sealaska. He was a member of the Episcopal Church.
From a young age, Ryan had a smile that could light up a room and a sense of helping others that he learned from growing up in his mother’s classroom and on his father’s sports teams.
“He had a spirit for life that would take your breath away,” his family said. “He always loved to make those around him happier with his hugs and his outgoing sense of humor.
“Ryan will forever be remembered for his vibrant red hair and beard, unforgettable laugh, and infectious smile.”
Like his father, Ryan loved sports. He played Gastineau Channel Little League, when the team won the Alaska Junior State Championship; Hoop Time Basketball; and Floyd Dryden and Juneau-Douglas High School basketball. His sophomore year of high school Ryan moved to Sitka to play basketball and baseball.
His team, Sitka High School, won two state baseball championships. His senior year Ryan pitched against Juneau – and his childhood friends – for the state championship. By playing for both teams throughout high school, Ryan brought players who had deep rivalries into everlasting friendships.
He enjoyed basketball, gaming, weight-lifting, frisbee golf, slow-pitch softball, and working at Landscape Alaska for the past few summers.
He cherished his grandmother’s gold Sebring convertible, and while in college made many long cruises with friends in search of fun and adventure.
Ryan thoroughly enjoyed spending every minute of his day with family and friends. He had expressed a strong desire to return to Juneau after college.
Ryan was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Norman Staton Sr. and William Knight; and his great-aunt Angelina Salvato.
“Ryan was taken from this world way too soon and we as a family, friends, and community are left to find a way to continue on without him. He will always be greatly missed and never ever forgotten,” said family.
He is survived by his parents, Norm and Donna; his sisters Katie (Justus) and Tess (Kyle); grandmothers Ethel Staton and Audrey Knight; uncles Kim (Dawn), Randy and Gary (Mari) Knight; aunts Candi Barger and Shirley (Cliff) Robards; cousins Heath Barger, Gerri and Holly Chambers, Tuffy Robards, Michelle Kohinka, Robert Leighton, and many more, along with countless friends from all over Southeast Alaska, Washington and Oregon.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ryan Staton Memorial Fund set up by his family at Wells Fargo to support the sports he loved.
