He is active in Kiwanis Club projects for children and youth, and is president of the club which just celebrated its 85th anniversary in Norman. An active member at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church, he is an usher at Sunday morning services. On top of those responsibilities, you will find him at all City Council meetings.

"I want to show them my support," he says.

Humble about his volunteer work, he shrugs his shoulders and says, "I am doing what I can for the city and society."

An avid runner most of his life, Staples has run in many marathons, not trying to set speed records. "My goal was always to complete the run."

He was in the middle of a 5K fundraiser at Eisenhower Elementary School 18 months ago when he collapsed. His heart stopped for several minutes. Thanks to the quick action of first responders, he survived. He was in a coma for 48 hours, and the family was advised that he would undoubtedly have extensive brain damage. "They were already dividing up my football tickets," he jokes today, thankful for recovering without any brain damage. He returned to work two weeks later, and resumed running with a newly installed defibrillator. "I am limited to no more than five miles at a time," he says.

He doesn't slow down very often to reflect on the past, but he remembers fondly the world he grew up in and the contrast to today's world. "It was a great life. I hurt for the kids these days. We rode our bikes for miles. Neighborhoods were neighborhood." His voice drifts off in thought.

"I have been blessed with a wonderful wife and the Lord gave me the opportunity to do all these things. I am enjoying life right now."

In addition to recommitting his life to the Marine Corps if given the chance, there is one other thing that he would do again, he says.

"I would marry Cherie again," he says of the woman who raised their five children and maintained their home during his long absences. "Her work was bigger than mine."

Their two sons, John and Robert, reside in California; two daughters, Debbie Kelleher and Donna Sue Hale, live in Norman, and a daughter, DeeAnn Marshall, lives in Ardmore. They have five grandchildren.