Ron Slater

Arley Ronald Slater Arley “Ron” Slater was born on November 14, 1930 to parents Arley and Minnie Slater in Williamstown, Kentucky. After high school, he worked for Fisher Body before being drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War, where he served on the front lines as a secretary. After his honorable discharge, he went to work for Pepsi as a delivery driver. He married Lillian Jones in 1956 and adopted her son Michael. They relocated to St. Petersburg, Florida, where he began his long career with Sears Roebuck & Company as a Home Improvement salesman. He was awarded the top salesman award so many times, his co-workers were glad when he retired! Every quarter that he was the top salesman, he won a prize . . . usually a cruise to the Caribbean. His co-workers said “Now we will have a chance at the prize!” While in St. Petersburg, he enjoyed fishing in Tampa Bay and coaching Little League for several years. After retirement, he moved to Live Oak, Florida, where he joined the American Legion Post 107. The Legion held their meetings at the Public Library at the time. Ron was instrumental to building the American Legion Post in Live Oak. He was the Past Commander of the Live Oak American Legion Post 107 for multiple years. He was proud of his involvement with the Legion projects, especially cleaning up the Veteran’s section of the Live Oak Cemetery with the local Boy Scouts. He was often at the Suwannee Football games with the Jr. ROTC. He was an active member of Rocky Sink Baptist Church, Live Oak, Florida, often joining the choir. He enjoyed traveling, baseball, racing, fishing and coaching Little League in Live Oak also for his great-grandson Haden, who he raised for 12 years. He is survived by his special loving and devoted partner for the last several years, Janice Donaldson, son, Michael Slater, grandson Michael Slater II, great-grandson Haden Slater, niece Bonita Harmon, nephews Michael Abney and Tom Wieck, great nieces Crystal Abney and Toni Wieck, great-nephews Michael Milliken, Austin Abney, along with several other nieces, nephews, and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Arley and Minnie Slater, wife, Lillian Slater, a sister Dolores Pouliot, half-sisters Dessie Sheppard and Vivian “Dorothy” Nowak, and a half-brother, Lester Wright. Family received visitors prior to the funeral service at Rocky Sink Baptist Church, Live Oak, Florida starting at 10 am with service at 11 am. Burial was held in the church cemetery.