Donald Slate, Sr.

MSGT Donald B. Slate Sr. passed from this Earth, Saturday, August 24, 2019 at the age of 84 years.

Born to Lewis and Agnes Slate of Massachusetts, Donald was given a pink ribbon to identify him from his identical twin brother. The tag pink followed him for a good portion of his life. One of the eleven children, Donald grew up in the great cold north. Upon graduating high school, he and his twin brother entered military service, joining the United States Air Force. This venture brought Donald south to England AFB, Louisiana, where he met and married Irma Basco. Donald did isolated tours in both Korea and Vietnam, as well as multiple assignments in the lower 48 states before being assigned to Germany with his now family of 4 children. Donald toured Europe with his family before settling into the last duty station of his 26 yr career, at Randolph Air Force Base. After retirement, he entered Civil Service where he worked 19 years before truly retiring.

No man’s life can be summarized justly in a few short paragraphs.

Donald B. Slate Sr. – son, brother, father, devoted husband, soldier, upstanding citizen. If you were to ask those who knew him to describe him, all would agree; he was a simple, humble man who loved his family dearly. Donald showed his love rather than talk about it.  He wore many hats throughout a long life now done. He is loved and will be remembered always.

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Irma Slate; sons, Donald Slate, Jr. with wife Laurie, Tommy Slate with wife Jan and Stephen Slate with wife Michelle; daughter, Pamela Grinnell with husband Gerhard; 9 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; brothers, Ronald Slate with wife Margaret and Robert Slate with wife Joann; as well as a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:30AM on Friday, September 06, 2019 in the Schertz Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be at 1:15PM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery featuring United States Air Force Honors.  A Reception will follow at 3:00PM at the Schertz Civic Center, 1400 Schertz Pkwy, Schertz, TX 78154.  In lieu of flowers- donations may be made to www.woundedwarriorproject.org