Gary David Slater

Funeral services for Gary Slater will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 8, 2024, at the First Baptist Church, Waynoka, with Pastor Thure Tolson officiating. Interment will be in the Waynoka Municipal Cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home. Gary, son of the late James and Daisy Slater, was born September 5, 1938, in Cheyenne Valley and passed peacefully on May 28, 2024, at Share Convalescent Home in Alva at the age of 85 years. He was one of eight brothers and sisters, five of whom have preceded him in death. Gary was educated at Cheyenne Valley School and continued to attend reunions there until he was no longer physically able. After high school, Gary spent time in Selma, Colorado and often spoke about playing in adult basketball leagues while living there. Gary was a great athlete and could still shoot the ball through the hoop with accuracy well into his later years. He also served in the United States Army in the 1960's. From 1962 to 1964, Gary served in the 24th Infantry Division as a member of the security platoon in Germany. He was honorably discharged in August of 1967. Gary fondly and proudly remembered his time in Germany and often shared stories of his experiences. He also attended several reunions with his platoon members after serving. In the 1960's, Gary began a career with the Santa Fe Railroad and became a Communication Maintainer, among other roles, for over 35 years. He married and lived in Amarillo, Texas for several years before moving his family to Waynoka, returning to his roots amongst longtime family and friends. Gary loved working for the railroad and his job took him to several cities and states over the years. He would climb telephone poles in the dead of winter to reestablish communication during storm outages, repaired damaged communication equipment in the lab, and responded to derailments and other emergencies as needed. Gary was a jack-of-all trades and could fix about anything electronic or mechanical. Gary loved to golf and competed in many tournaments sponsored by the railroad and other organizations. He proudly displayed his trophies but would modestly and humbly deflect praise when people commented on his golfing skills. He also enjoyed being outdoors hunting and fishing. Gary not only hunted typical game like quail, pheasant, and deer, he was also well known for his talents hunting rattlesnakes. He was always a fearless and fun-loving country boy at heart. Gary felt that all children deserved to have a chance at a good life. He had an open door to those in need and his generosity and selflessness knew no bounds. Gary raised four children he called his own: Fred, Clay, Stacee, and Garalyn. Many other nieces, nephews, grandchildren, cousins, and family friends also spent time living with and being mentored and loved by Gary. He coached soccer, basketball, and softball teams, he fed anyone who needed a meal, and he always put others’ needs above his own. There’s an old saying about someone being so selfless and humble that they’d “give you the shirt off their back” if you needed it. Gary exemplified this old idiom in every way. Besides his parents, James and Daisy, he was preceded in death by five brothers and sisters; and a daughter-in-law, Tessa Martin. Gary is survived by his brothers, Lewis Slater and wife, Shirley, and John Slater and wife, Lorna; son, Fred Slater and wife, Lanna, and grandsons, Cody and Hunter Slater, son, Clay Martin and grandsons, Garrick and Ryker Martin, daughter, Stacee Smiddy and husband, Dax, and grandsons, Brack Slater and Braylee Turner and Charles and Oscar Smiddy, daughter, Garalyn Slater and grandson, Jalen Slater and granddaughter, Ariana Bruner; in addition to numerous great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fallen Raidroader Scholarship or the Cheyenne Valley Foundation. Please make checks payable to Clay Martin and note in the memo that the funds are for the Fallen Railroader Scholarship or Cheyenne Valley Foundation. Donations may also be made via Venmo@William-Martin-498 or the CashApp at $payday4clay, and please indicate where you’d like your funds to be applied.

Gary David Slater

September 5, 1938 - May 28, 2024