James Mark Slator

Mark was born in Houston on the 31st of March, 1946, son of Constance Marian “Peggy” Corte Slator and James Moss Slator, III, and brother to John Robert Slator and Melissa Chantel Slator. He attended Lee High School, and then headed north to Forth Worth where he graduated from Texas Christian University and was an active member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Mark worked in different sectors of the construction machinery business with Mustang Caterpillar in Texas and was Vice President for Service at Dean Machinery in Kansas City, Missouri. where he retired in 2010.

In 1967, Mark married his high school sweetheart, Carol Muckley Slator. Mark and Carol had three children, Aaron, Emily, and Elizabeth Slator. Mark was a proud, dedicated father to his children. He was active in all the kids’ activities, from Indian Guides & Princesses to coaching little league, as well as hunting, fishing, and camping. He became “Coach” and later “Podz”. Mark passed along his family’s extensive Texas history and love of the Hill Country to his children. He was a good friend to many and enjoyed life. One of his most treasured experiences was hiking the Camino de Santiago with son Aaron.

Mark was also a lifelong, avid golfer. He made many friends on the links, placed in several league tournaments as a member of the Public Links Seniors of Kansas City, and was also Golf Chairman of his local chapter of the KCSGA. He was, as well, a gifted artist.

Mark was always a big fan of doo-wop and was witnessed on more than one occasion dancing to the likes of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons with staff at the Belmont.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Peggy and Jimmy Slator. He is survived by his brother, John Slator and wife Cindy and sister, Wissie Slator and wife Tonya Edmond; his children, Aaron Garth Slator and wife Jennifer, Emily Adele Slator, and Elizabeth Ann Slator and wife Rebecca Starr, and his grandchildren, Sophie Elizabeth Slator, Emma Rose Slator, Chloe Soleste Starr and Caden Mathew Starr.

We thank the staff and nurses who took care of Mark, especially during his final days in hospice care.

Friends are cordially invited to gather with the family and share remembrances of Mark during a memorial reception from two o’clock until four o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 22nd of March, in the Grand Foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

Prior to the memorial reception, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Forest Park Lawndale in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in Mark's memory may be directed to the Memorial Park Conservancy, 7575 N. Picnic Ln, Houston TX 77007 or by online https://www.memorialparkconservancy.org/

May he dance in the moonlight and soar with the eagles.

Buen Camino, Padre.

Please visit Mark’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com, where memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with his family.