Donald Staggs, 78

Donald Staggs, 78 of Carey's Run, West Portsmouth, Ohio, died Friday July 17, 2009 at Hill View Retirement Center. He was born February 2, 1931 in West Portsmouth to the late Earl Wilson and Allie Coleman Staggs.

He was a retired superintendent of New Boston City, Gallipolis City and Hazard Independent Schools. He also was interim superintendent of Scioto Valley Local Schools and Wellston City Schools. He later served as Personnel and Business Director at Wilmington City Schools for two years. Before becoming a school superintendent, he was a principal at Philo High School and New Matamoras High School, where he was responsible for three high schools. Before becoming a principal he was a teacher-coach at Portsmouth West High School, Portsmouth High School and Miami Trace High School.

Surviving are his wife of fifty-three years, Wanda Frasher Staggs, a daughter, Kristina Inez Staggs (Jim) Welch of Bluefield, Virginia, 4 sons; Patrick Donald (Donna) Staggs of Portsmouth, Terence Scot (Ellen) Staggs of Chillicothe, Michael Bryon (Barbara Ann) Staggs of Wooster and Daniel Aaron (Joni) Staggs of Chillicothe, 4 brothers; Eugene Staggs of West Portsmouth, Earl Staggs Jr. of Florida, Charles Staggs of Portsmouth and Jack Staggs of Carey's Run, 12 grandchildren; Lindsey Staggs, Jessica Spradling, Donald Joseph Staggs, Evan Staggs, Eric Staggs, Benjamin Staggs, Rachel Staggs, Andrew Spradling, Sean Paul Staggs, Christian Staggs, Jakob Staggs and Ethan Staggs. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by 4 brothers; Paul, Douglas, Arnold and Joseph Staggs and one sister Ruby Armbrister.

Donald graduated from Washington Local High School (Portsmouth West) in 1949. He was on the school's first football team. He then graduated from Cedarville College in 1952, where he also played football and was team captain. He always loved football and worked many years in coaching. Before he began his career in education, he served 2 years in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. While teaching and coaching, he obtained his Master's degree from Xavier University and completed two years of post graduate work at Ohio University toward his Doctorate. His educational career spanned forty years. Donald was a member of Temple Baptist Church and the Fellowship Class. He was also a member of many civic organizations through the years.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Tuesday July 21, 2009 at the Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth with Reverend John Gowdy officiating. Interment will be in McKendree Cemetery with graveside military rites by James Dickey Post 23 American Legion. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Temple Baptist Youth Camp Ministry. Condolences may be sent to www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com