Denys Russell Slater, Jr. died peacefully at home surrounded by family on the morning of May 30, 2020. He was born August 17, 1931 to Myra Rodes Slater and Denys Russell Slater. He graduated from the Southern Arizona Prep School in Tucson, Arizona, and following in his father’s footsteps, attended Williams College and Southern Methodist University. He did graduate work in business at the University of Texas in Austin. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi and earned his BA in history and political science.
After school, he began his lifelong career at Fishburn-Oriental Dyeing & Dry Cleaning Co., where he was CEO. He served as president of the Dallas Chapter of the Cleaning and Laundry Association; then he became the youngest president of the Texas Cleaning and Laundry Association. Besides his love of bridge and golf, Denys was a true bon vivant. He loved food and wine, particularly Burgundies, wrote restaurant reviews for Texas Monthly and served as Grand Sénéchal for the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, and was an honorary member of the Commanderie du Canada.
Following his retirement in 1996, he spent many years in Bozeman, Montana where he and his wife, Jane, had a house on the golf course. There, he served as a director of the Museum of the Rockies affiliated with Montana State University. He was instrumental in organizing a wine tasting-dinner as a major fundraiser for the museum, was a volunteer at the Bozeman Deaconess Hospital and mentored young entrepreneurs through SCORE.
In Dallas, he served as a director of the Dallas Historical Society, was a board member of the Baylor Hospital Foundation and the Better Business Bureau. He was a member of Brook Hollow Golf Club, a past member of the Salesmanship Club, Idlewild Club, Little Sandy Hunting & Fishing Club and the East Dallas Rotary Club. He and his wife, Jane, enjoyed traveling, particularly to our National parks, and to see friends from the Tastevin.
Denys is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Jane Matthews Slater and his three children: Denys III and his wife Glynnis Graf Slater, Robin Slater Martin and her husband, Paul Martin, Edward Slater and his wife Courtney Crawford Slater, and seven precious grandchildren. Many thanks to his caretaker, Julius Warren and Dr. John Brooks. The memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Baylor Scott & White or the charity of your choice.
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