John Daniel Slay

John passed away in the morning of December 30. He was born November 5, 1931 in Dallas, Texas. His parents were Esther Henderson Slay and Frank Conley Slay. His schooling began at Mrs. Bender’s preparatory classes, then Rosemont Elementary School, and Sunset High school. John graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1951. While serving in the US Air Force during the Korean War he began as Basic Assistant Flight Chief, later he graduated from the Defense Language Institute course on the Russian language. He served on the St. Lawrence Island, Alaska. John married Bettye Ann Palmer in 1957 at Tyler Street UMC. John loved life as seen in his enthusiasm, optimism, generosity, gratitude and the manner in which he cherished his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Bettye; his children, John Slay, Laura Gibbons, Mary Bass, Anne Scholz; his daughters husbands;Bill Bass, Joe Scholz, Michael Gibbons; grandchildren, John Patrick Scholz, Hannah Scholz, Joseph Scholz, William Bass, Sarah Gibbons and Caroline Gibbons; brother, Frank Slay; sister Sarah Chalk and husband Jeff D. Chalk III and their children; Jeff Chalk, Rebecca Krueger, Phillip Chalk and Priscilla Oliphant. Viewing will be from 10:00am to 2:00pm Thursday, January 1. Funeral service and burial will be held Friday, January 2, 2015 at Laurel Land Memorial Chapel.