Obituary of Raymond Slayton

Raymond Slayton

December 28, 1927- February 23, 2024

 

Raymond Slayton passed away in the comfort of his Clearwater, Florida home on Friday, February 23, 2024 at 96 years old. Ray was born in Auburn, NY on December 28, 1927 to the late Frederick and Jennie Slayton.

 

Ray grew up on a farm in the village of Port Byron, New York until his parents moved into the city of Auburn. He was 14 when he heard Roosevelt announce on the radio in the general store that Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. He ran home to tell his father and immediately wanted to join the U.S. armed forces. As soon as he was able to join the fight, he dropped out of high school and joined the United States Merchant Marines (1943) transporting supplies and personnel. At age 18, he joined the United States Navy (1945) and achieved the rank of Fireman First Class. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and received the Victory Medal for his service in World War II. He owned and operated R. Slayton Landscaping Service and Ray's Lawn and Garden Center (opened in 1964) in the Town of Throop, New York. Ray was active in his community and local politics as a member of the Park Commission, elected Supervisor - Throop (1957) and candidate for the State Assembly (1966). He was a proud member of the Auburn Elks Lodge #474 where he was a past Exalted Ruler (1966-67) and Life Member. He was appointed as the Superintendent of Emerson Park in 1969, a role he enjoyed until 1974.

 

He started a new chapter when he moved to Clearwater, Florida in the winter of 1977. Ray received his High School Diploma in 1980, became interested in computers and purchased his family their first home computer later that year (TI-99/4). Ray ended his professional landscaping career in 1981 and started building motherboards for Paradyne Corporation (later AT&T Paradyne, Lucent Technologies) in Largo, Florida. Ray retired from Lucent Technologies in 1992. He continued to work part-time at his wife's coffee shop (Shirley's Plaza Cafe in Clearwater), his friend Lyle's hotel (the Florentine in Indian Shores) and security at Clearwater Point Condos until he was 85 years old.

 

Ray had a tremendous work ethic. He shared a “work hard, play hard” philosophy with his wife Shirley and lived life to the fullest. He was happiest when he was spending time with his family and friends sharing stories, telling jokes and having a good time. He enjoyed hunting in New York and fishing in Florida. He spent a lot of time on his lawn and flowers, enjoyed sunny days at Derby Lane watching the greyhounds race and long walks on the beach searching for shark's teeth. In his later years, he enjoyed traveling around the U.S., the Caribbean islands and Europe.

 

Ray loved people. He always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye and that’s how he will be remembered.

 

Ray is survived by his wife Shirley (Powers) Slayton; his children: Judith "Judy" Tamburrino (Dan), Robert "Bob" Slayton and Sheryl Stanley (Mark); his stepchildren: Douglas Shields, Kevin Shields (Cathy), Kim Shields (Ann); 14 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; and a large and loving extended family. In addition to his parents, Ray was predeceased by his brothers Frederick, Wallace “Wally”, his sisters Doris (Cooper), Janet (O’Brien), his son Michael Scott Slayton (Darlene) and his daughter-in-law Marlene.

 

Private funeral services will be held March 14, 2024 at 11:00am at the Bay Pines National Cemetery in St. Petersburg, FL. Bay Pines National Cemetery: 10000 Bay Pines Boulevard North; St. Petersburg, FL 33708. https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/baypines.asp

 

In memory of a life so fully lived and a heart so deeply loved, a celebration of life ceremony for family and friends will be held March 14, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at the Seminole Elks Lodge in Seminole, FL. The family asks that you wear Ray's favorite color, blue. Seminole Elks Lodge #2519: 10717 Seminole Boulevard; Seminole, FL 33778-3335. Please RSVP by March 10th via the following link https://i.invitd.us/p-AulODc3Isf.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you plant a tree in Ray's honor. Donations to the Auburn Elks Lodge  or the Seminole Elks Lodge  in Raymond Slayton's name are also welcome.

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