Stanley John Slater

Entered peacefully into eternal life June 23, 2011. Was born 10/19/1922 in Detroit, MI; moved to Dearborn during high school; began his lifelong love of photography; & interrupted college to begin active U.S. Navy duty in 1943—he became an Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer on a destroyer escort in the Pacific. On 8/6/1945, he was at Pearl Harbor to witness the end-of-war exuberance, where “everything that could fly took to the air & buzzed Honolulu.” He often smiled at the irony that only one week before, he had returned his rented movie camera & was surprisingly camera-free for this historic event.

After being discharged from the Navy in 6/46, Stan earned a chemistry degree at the University of Illinois, joining 3M Company in 1949. He became the Adhesive Division’s Account Executive for Aerospace Operations in the Southwest, a position he held for 27 years until he retired in 2/88. Despite numerous professional achievements, he was above all a devoted husband & father. He met Elaine in 6/55; snapped her picture on their first date; & married her in 12/55, beginning a 55 ½-year marriage & raising three children.

A member of St. Rita Catholic Church since its founding in 1961, Stan helped create playground facilities & later participated in the Bread Ministry for the poor. He adored the outdoors: fishing, camping, bow-&-arrow hunting, hiking, & skiing in Michigan, northern Ontario, & Colorado, & enjoying countless Sundays after church boating with family at the lake. During retirement, he enjoyed traveling with Elaine & being a grandpa. His family remembers his commitment to marriage & to God; unconditional love; inspirational patriotism; & dry sense of humor, which he maintained as he battled increasing health challenges over the last several months.

Stan is survived by his wife, Elaine Cimperman Slater, & by his children & grandchildren: Jim Slater, wife Debbie, children Maddie & Mitchell; David Slater, wife Diana, children Dasha & Polina; & Carrie Slater Stewart, husband Randel, children Will, Evan, & Catherine. He is also survived by his brother Dr. Arthur Slater of Montana & other cousins & relatives, & was predeceased by his parents, Dr. & Mrs. Stanley Slater of Dearborn, MI.

Visitation is from 4-6 p.m. & rosary at 7 on Sunday, June 26 at Calvary Hill Funeral Home on Lombardy Ln. in Dallas. Mass of Christian Burial is at 10 a.m. at St. Rita Catholic Church in Dallas, followed by a brief graveside service at Calvary Hill, & reception at St. Rita.

Arrangements under the direction of Calvary Hill Funeral Home, Dallas, TX.