Curtis Slater

Curtis as a young man always held down a job car washing, grocery store and other small jobs. Curtis at the age of 18 years old left his jobs to serve in the United States Army. He often spoke highly of his 18 months spent in Munich Germany. Within his time of service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Occupation Medal (Germany) and Good Conduct Medal. In 1955, Curtis left the army with an honorable discharge and moved to Detroit, before finally making his way to California in 1961.

In the summer of 1961, during a night out with friends, Curtis met his future wife, Gloria. After offering to drive her home, they spent hours sitting in his car getting to know everything about one another. They married on March 3, 1962 and spent 59 wonderful years together before Gloria’s passing in 2021. Together they built a family and a life centered on love, hard work, devotion to those they cherished and serving their community.

When Curtis wasn’t taking his kids camping or spending time with family and friends, he was devoting his time to a few prominent non-profit organizations, such as the Apple Valley Municipal Animal Shelter and Optimists Club.

Curtis’ longest standing job was his time spent with G.I. Trucking Company, beginning in 1968. Through working at G.I. Trucking Company, Curtis built strong relationships which lasted even after he moved to Apple Valley. After retiring from G.I. Trucking Company, Curtis went on to work for H & E Hardware and Meals on Wheels, where he was able to spend his time helping to spread his handyman knowledge and delivering food to seniors.

As a grandfather, Curtis will be remembered for taking his grandkids to garage sales during weekend visits, rewarding them with cash or fast food for good grades, teaching them how to harvest produce from his beloved backyard garden, and being the grandfather who never felt too old to go camping or ride quads in the desert.

Curtis spent his last few years living with his daughter Pamela and son-in-law Shawn, where he was able to see 4 of his great grandkids almost daily. As loud as they were taking over the house and running circles around him, he still smiled with pride watching the generations who have come after him experience childhood.

Curtis also enjoyed visiting his daughter and son in law Shirley and George who live in Las Vegas for summer and holidays. He love eating out and going to the Casinos to play his favorite game Keno. While in Las Vegas attend church on Sundays he enjoyed meeting new people and greeting the Pastors they always greet him with so much love and hugs.

Those who knew him will remember him for his expansive collection of hats and cologne, never leaving the house without either. He was also an avid participant in the California Lotto, even checking to make sure his tickets were purchased in his final weeks. Curtis was caring person always about asking about his grandchildren and the friends he met in Las Vegas.

Curtis was preceded in death by his wife Gloria Slater, his son, Keith Allen Anthony Slater, his parents Candis Bumpers and Arthur B. Slater, his brothers Kenntis Slater, Arthur Slater Jr., Henry Kiel, Archie York, and Robert Lee Harris, and sister Magdalene Dorsey.

Loving memories of Curtis will be cherished by his brother Frank Earl Bumpers, daughter and son-in-law, Shirley Ann and George Laster, daughter and son-in-law Pamela and Shawn Holloway, son and daughter-in-law Tyrone McCloud and Maroly A. McCloud,grandchildren, LaShondia Maise, George T. and LaTara Laster, Shawn and Tami Holloway, Desiree and Leo Pinto, Cinnamon McCloud and Trey McCloud, great-grandchildren, Myles Maise, Timothy Laster, Azalea Pinto, Rayden Pinto, Lillian Holloway, Zachary Holloway, Lavender McCloud and adopted grandchildren, Destiny Bennett (great-daughter Dakota Bennett) and Maurice Bennett. He is also survived by the many nieces and nephews, cousins, close friends and extended family members who he held dear to his heart.