Richard (Del) Slaughter

Richard Del Slaughter (“Del”), age 86, passed peacefully from his earthly experience on June 26, 2014, in Sandy, Utah, supported and surrounded by the love of his entire family, to join his eternal companion, Julienne.

Del was born on October 31, 1927, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Wayne Rasmussen Slaughter and Mabelle Allene (Heath) Slaughter.

Del graduated from Pocatello High School in 1945 and shortly after graduation joined the U.S. Navy, serving for a short period as World War II was winding down. He later graduated from Idaho State University and earned his Masters in music education from the University of Utah. He wrote the fight songs for both Ricks College and Idaho State.

In Pocatello, he met and fell in love with another talented musician, Julienne Hill. The two were married in May 1950 in the Logan LDS temple. They spent most of their waking hours over their entire lives together making music and teaching music to young people, primarily in Twin Falls, Idaho, which was their home for more than 40 years.

Del retired from music education after 32 years of teaching band and orchestra in the Idaho public schools and at the baton of various community bands and symphonies. He continued to teach private lessons for many years thereafter. Del was a wonderful example of loving and selfless service, dedicating his time and energy in retirement with Julienne, first in taking care of her aging parents, then in providing full-time care to his beloved wife, nursing her through her final illness with Lou Gehrigs’ disease. He was never heard to complain, but expressed gratitude for being able to be so close to his sweetheart.

Del was a man of principle and patience and impeccable example. To him, the decisions in life, even the very difficult ones, were ultimately questions of black and white. He did not operate in areas of grey. Del's sole explicative, to which he reverted rarely, was "Great Ned!"

Del received many professional awards and recognitions over his life and career, but none were more important to him than the expressions of love and appreciation from many among the thousands of students whose lives he was able to touch and affect through good music.

Del is survived by his children, David (Connie) Linda Seaman (Robert), Mark (Alice) and Kathryn Collier (Randy), by 20 grandchildren and by 43 great-grandchildren. He joins his eternal companion, one son (Stephen) his parents and older sister and brother, all of whom preceded him through the veil. Families will be together forever.

A special thanks to Del’s grandchildren, Rob and Wendy Seaman and family, who have lovingly made "Papa" a part of their household and have surrounded him with love and care for the past eight years. And thanks to the hospice caregivers at Care Source who have patiently helped Papa to preserve his dignity and comfort in his loving surroundings.

Services will be held at the Sandy Utah East LDS Stake Center, 9636 S. 1700 E., Sandy Utah on Friday, July 11, at 10:00 a.m. following a viewing from 9:00 to 9:45. Interment at the Sunset Memorial Park, Twin Falls, Idaho, at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 12.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to LDS Philanthropies or to the ALS Association, in honor of Del and Julienne.