Richard Edgar Stanton, age 78, passed on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
He was born in Salem, New Jersey on January 26, 1948. Richard was one of five children. He was the last surviving sibling of Mabel Esther Statts and Alfred Fowler Stanton. Richard outlived all his brothers and sisters.
If there was one thing you should know about Richard—it’s that he loved family. But that wasn’t the only notable thing about him. He loved being the Meat Surgeon. That was the nickname he was given because he could cut a steak right off the cow and hand it to you and when you cooked it—you could cut it with a fork. Richard was the kindest, most gentle, caring, fair, understanding, gentlemen, you could ever meet. He always compromised so that neither party ever felt like they didn’t matter. Richard loved the mountains of North Carolina. In his young years he loved skiing on water and snow. He also loved reading—National Geographic was his favorite magazine. He said he may never be able to see the world, but he could certainly read about it and see it through their pages.
Richard was a fantastic father to his three children whom he loved with all his heart: Richard Jack Stanton, William Michael Stanton and Mechelle Marie Stanton Flippo. They were always his proudest accomplishments in life. He was so proud of all his children. Richard has seven wonderful grandchildren: Andrew Zimmerman, Andrea Stanton, Max Stanton, Lauren Mulligan, Ellie Stanton, Alex Flippo and Daniel Flippo.
He said he couldn’t believe they turned out so good because of the childhood that he had, he was afraid he would be a terrible father. His wife, Penelope, always made sure to say every day that he was the best father they could ever have.
He was a great teacher. Richard taught an uncountable amount of people how to cut meat during the time he was working. He became the youngest Meat Department Manager at the age of 18. People followed him from Florida to North Carolina just to have him cut steaks for them so they could serve them to their guests.
The first day Penelope saw him, and said, “Hey stuck up come here a minute.” She knew right then that this man, that she had never met, would be in her life and in her heart for eternity. Richard was her protector, her friend, her husband and a very big part of her soul. He taught her how to love and how to share that love with everyone! Penelope was proud of how Richard set a great example for their children on how to be a husband, father and friend. He always asked for Penelope’s opinion when things concerning family mattered!
She will forever remember how he had the most beautiful blue eyes, and the greatest legs on a man She ever saw! Richard loved to cook. And how he loved sleeping in and holding hands at night. There was never a day that went by that didn’t end without an I love you.
There are so many more things about him that will live on for all his friends and family. Rest in peace my love and know we will be together again for eternity.
Your loving devoted wife.