Bobby G. Slayton

Bob entered the world with a loving heart and inquisitive mind in Dell, Arkansas on February 17, 1929. He left us celebrating his life at the tender age of 83, on May 13, 2012, surrounded by the family who adored him. As his grandson Joey recently stated, "Pop's felt his greatest achievement in life was his family. It was and always will be."

Bob was a famer's son. Although his father died while he was a baby, he was working in the fields at a very young age. He went from picking grapes to retiring as the Vice President of Gallo Winery in 1995. He enjoyed his career to the point that it wasn't work, even as stressful as his position could be at times. Ernest and Julio Gallo, who gave him the opportunity to prove his value to the company that meant so much to him, were forever held in high esteem.

Nothing was more important than Joyce Parker, whom he married on July 23, 1949. They were soul mates for 63 years and their love and respect for one another remained until the second he left her arms. Together, they brought three beautiful daughters into the world. They may have been girls, but Bob took great pleasure in taking them camping, boating, and teaching each one how to fish. He once had a Honda 90 that each girl learned to ride and wreck. Whether you lost his fishing tackle or wrecked that motorcycle, he was kind and gentle and simply bought new tackle and hauled the bike to a repair shop if he couldn't fix it himself. Usually he could manage all the repairs on any motorized vehicle. This continued when the girls became women and drivers. As a father, few men knew the patience he had with his family. If he had a single fault it was only a persistent worry if something should ever happen to him, his family would be financially secure. He was the provider and the protector and even extended family members reached out to him for his words of wisdom. He was a man of God, and a man of integrity. He could always be counted on to lend a helping hand. His "word" was better than any contract. There is a void in the space Bob once held. He is missed dearly.

He is preceded in death by both of his parents, Charles and Bessie Slayton; his sister, Georgia Slayton Harguess; his three brothers, Charles Slayton, Bill Jeffery, and Levi Jeffery; and great-granddaughter, Cassie Panter.

Bob is survived by his wife, Joyce Slayton; his daughters, Debbie Slayton, Barbara Marquez, Susan and husband Jack Winston; eight grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister-in-law, Rowena Jeffery; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would be honored to have you join us for viewing at Stephens & Bean Chapel on Thursday, May 17, 2012 from 2:00 - 7:00 p.m.

A Funeral Service will be held at Stephens & Bean Chapel on Friday, May 18, 2102 at 11:00 a.m., with a Reception to follow immediately after the services at Trinity Baptist Church, 4890 E. Holland.

Please send donations to help fight Alzheimer's, or to St. Agnes Hospice.