Anthony "Tony" William Staples, 73, of Pensacola, FL passed away Monday, September 20, 2021.

Tony was born in Pontiac, MI, to Leslie, a WWII veteran, and Pat Staples, who was a British war bride. They moved to Pensacola in 1953 when Tony was only 5 years old.

He grew up in Ferry Pass and attended both elementary and junior high there. Tony went on to attend Pensacola High School and became a part of the legendary basketball team that went 30-0 and won the 1964 and 1966 state title. From 1963 to 1965, they were known as Marvin's Marvelous Midgets and from 1965-1966, they were known as Marvin's Marvelous Machine, coached under Marvin Beck. Tony was a 2-time All-American basketball player. This was one of the highlights of Tony's life.

He attended Eckerd College and left to enlist in the United States Marine Corps in 1968 during the war in Viet Nam. Because he excelled in Basic Training, he was asked to re-enlist as an officer and enter Officer Candidate School. During the downsizing of the military after the Viet Nam War, he was honorably discharged as a Captain in 1973.

He married his first wife, Betty Mitchell, in 1969. In 1971, they were blessed with the birth of their son, Christopher Matthew.

In 1981, he married Rosemary Rigby. In 1982, they had their first child, Leslie Kyle and in 1985, they had their youngest child, Jared Anthony.

Throughout his career, Tony worked in sales and management. He valued his time working as a Service Manager. People loved working for Tony because he took care of his employees and encouraged them so they could further their careers.

Tony was very involved with church both at First Assembly of God and at Hillcrest. He loved the Lord with all his heart and prayed daily that God would make him the man, God wanted him to be. He was an overcomer in so many ways. He completely understood Grace and Mercy. One of the last things he told Rosemary was, "I'll either wake up well or I'll wake up and see Jesus." There is no doubt where he is and that we will see him again.

Tony is preceded in death by his parents, Leslie Robert Staples and Patricia Staples of Pensacola.

Survivors include his wife, Rosemary Rigby Staples; sons, Christopher Matthew Staples and his wife Jennifer, Leslie Kyle Staples and his wife Kathryn, and Jared Anthony Staples. He also leaves behind his happiest of treasures, his grandsons, Brock Samson, Jaxon Tiberius, and Sebastian Amadeus. He also leaves behind his precious sisters, Dorothy Wallace and Nancy Creamer, his extended family thru marriage, an abundance of nephews and a niece, his British family and cousins in England and New Zealand, and his many friends.

Visitation will be held 1:00pm until a Funeral Service to begin at 2:00pm Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at Hillcrest Baptist Church (9 Mile Road). Interment will follow at Godwin Cemetery, Bratt, FL.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to, Hillcrest Church, 800 East Nine Mile Road, Pensacola, FL 32514, (850)-476-2233.

The family would like to extend special thanks and appreciation to the ICU nurses and doctors at Sacred Heart Hospital, the caregivers at Covenant Hospice, Hillcrest Church, Hillcrest's Preschool, Ashley Hensel, and Natalie Brooks.