Jesse Nishi Noto Slaton Sr.

Jesse Nishi Noto Slaton Sr. was born May 18th, 1941 in Kansas City, Mo., the second of nine children (that lived to adulthood) to the union of John Slaton and Lenora Cunningan-Slaton. Jesse was raised in a loving home where his parents taught him to respect and honor God. In 1942, Jesse’s parents relocated to California, settling in Merced. His father had previously lived in Merced and was one of the early African American settlers in the County. His father, John Slaton, owned and operated a labor camp, a cafe and was known to be the first African American to successfully grow cotton on a commercial basis in Merced County.

Jesse’s primary education began in the Merced Unified School District, attending early primary grades first through sixth in a one room class at the old Farmdale Elementary which later became Weaver Elementary. In 1953, the family moved to Livingston, Ca and Jesse continued his education at Livingston Elementary and Livingston High School.

As a child, Jesse enjoyed the fun and adventure of boyhood discovery and the gift of having many siblings (He had 21 siblings including children from his father’s previous marriages). He was protective of his younger siblings and was especially close to his older brother Lynard and his sisters Dorothy and Marie because they were all close in age. Their mother, Lenora, would pack their school lunches in metal lunch pails or they returned home for lunch midday. Jesse loved sweets as a kid and often ate the extra pies his mother made. In high school, Jesse devoted himself to exercise and strength training and transformed his body.

Jesse married Ethel Jones in 1958. To this union four children were born: Denise, Kathy, Robin and Jesse Jr. Two children preceded him in death: Kathy Slaton-Graham and Jesse Nishi Noto Slaton, Jr.

After separating from his first wife in 1987, Jesse spent his life with a devoted partner, Mary Mabrey. After 30 years together, they married in 2017. With this marriage, he had 3 step children: Brian, Claudia and Jason. Mary preceded Jesse in death in 2018. During their years together, Jesse and Mary were members of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Atwater, Ca.

Jesse began his career in Warehouse Management/Hospital Supplies at Merced General Hospital in 1963. His brother, Lynard Slaton, Sr., later held the local honor of renaming the hospital in the ‘70’s to Merced Community Medical Center. Jesse retired as the Manager of Hospital Supplies after 35.7 years of service. After retirement, he owned a janitorial service and worked for Salvation Army Donation Center.

Jesse’s hobbies were biking, fishing and maintaining an immaculate lawn. People often joked that they could lie down and take a nap in his yard. Jesse also enjoyed reading Louis L’Amour Western Frontier novels, playing dominoes and barbecuing. Jesse and Mary loved spending time together travelling to Reno and other casinos in the valley. Together, they also enjoyed traveling the valley to see their great nephews (Jordan and Logan) play basketball and football. Jesse had an infinite love for dogs and enjoyed his Pitbull-Mix, Sheba. In his later years and as his health declined, Jesse held a special bond and connection with his nephew, Thomas Slaton. As his health declined, he entrusted Thomas to manage his affairs.

Jesse leaves to cherish his memory his two children: Denise Slaton-Melancon of Fresno, Ca, Robin Slaton-Jiles of San Bernardino, Ca; 3 stepchildren: Brian Mabrey of Stockton, Ca, Claudia (Steve) Mabrey Brown of Merced, Ca and Jason Mabrey of Merced, Ca; 5 grandchildren, 17 step grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, 5 step great grandchildren; 4 siblings: Marie Slaton-Love of Merced, Ca, Rosie Lee Slaton-Knott (Carl) of Fontana, Ca, Tojo Slaton (Janestine) of Corona, Ca and Semanola Turner of Elk Grove, Ca and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

We honor the life and cherished memory of Jesse Nishi Noto Slaton, Sr.: our father, step father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, family member and friend. We will all miss him, but we are honored and blessed to have had him in our lives.

There will be a public Visitation on Sunday, March 7, 2021, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Stratford and Evans Merced Funeral Home, 1490 B Street Merced, Ca; Covid-19 guidelines will be followed. In person Funeral Services will be private due to Covid-19 restrictions. In an effort to accommodate family and friends, live stream viewing will be available on Facebook via the Stratford and Evans website March 8, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.