Joe Donald Slatton, 87, died Sunday August 18, 2019 peacefully at home after a long illness.
Joe was born in Quebeck, Tennessee in 1931. He joined the Army in 1952, serving in Korea.
In boot camp, Joe met his future wife Mary Frei while on liberty in nearby Evansville Indiana. They had 59 wonderful years of love and joy together and raised five children. Joe was a very involved father. Later, Joe and Mary spent many hours devoted to service organizations. They also loved to camp, dance, and stay active. Soon after Mary’s passing, Joe met his devoted friend and companion Judy Schmickle. They were inseparable. When his health failed, Judy became a compassionate caregiver and took care of him to the very end.
Joe was a Korean War Veteran, a member and Past President of Korean War Veterans Assoc Chapter 14,
Sgt at Arms of Korean War Vets Honor Guard, and active at Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic church. He
also was a long time member and PER of Elks Lodge 1224. Joe always put 110% into everything he did.
He was a jack of all trades and was willing to serve by designing, creating, or fixing just about anything,
for anyone that had a need. Joe was an expert pool player and was rarely beat. He was a wonderful and
caring husband, father, and a friend to all he met. He will be missed by many.
He was preceded in death by: his siblings, Robert, Charles, and Jean, his beloved wife Mary and grandson Matthew. He is survived by: His children, Randy, Gail, Curt (Alicia), Mary Jo (Tom Mulligan) and Jeff, his grandsons Jonathan and David, his dear friend Judy, and his beloved dogs, Scooter and Rocky.
Saturday Aug 24th at 11:00am, a funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic church
5501 62nd Ave N, Pinellas Park, FL, followed by a memorial service and reception at the Elks Lodge 2675
66th St N, St Petersburg 33710. Food will be provided by Joe’s fellow Elks.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Florida Elks Charities at the above address.
On Friday, Sept 6th, a graveside ceremony will be held at the Bay Pines National Cemetery. Please wait in the circular parking area by the Cemetery Administration Building circle at 9:15 (by monument). Follow the procession to the chapel gazebo for the 9:30am ceremony including an Honor Guard salute.
Joe was such a dedicated veteran. I have no idea how many hundreds of Military Honors details he served on. I hope he knows how much those rifle salutes and flag presentations meant to the families of those veterans. Joe was proud of his Korean War service and he proudly wore his Army and Honor Guard uniforms. May the God of the Bible bless his family.
R.I.P. Joe Donald. We didn’t get to see each other very often but when we did see each other, it was always a happy, fun time. I will miss your emails, cousin. Kathy
Joe I will miss you always . We both served on the Korean peninsular in different locations. I was an original member of the KWVA and welcomed your presences in the organization and the leadership you provided. Sorry I cannot attend the services at Our Lady of Good hope and Bay Pines, but I am. In N.C. Aiding my daughter whose husband is dying from ALS . Rest In Peace my brother, William (Bill) Hooper
Couldn’t have asked for a better neighbor for the last 28 years. I will miss seeing him walk his little dogs a couple times a day and to have him stop for a quick chat or laugh. And yes, many times over the years I have seen him leaving his house, looking quite sharp in his honor guard uniform. And I knew he was off to some military service, to do his part, in honor of his fellow veterems. He was a good neighbor and will be missed, but it is nice to think that he and Mary are together again. My prayers and sympathy to all his family, friends and all on 56th Way, who will miss him.
My condolences to Joe’s family. He was always there to help veterans.
I will miss you dearly Uncle Joe! You taught me so much growing up like playing pool, being kind to others, the love for animals and most of all having a great sense of humor… You were always there to support me and Mom and got me out of some real tight messes. My heart and blessings go out to my cousins and his friends that he touched throughout his like.:)
Your niece
Cheryl
Joe, you have been a wonderful neighbor for 25 years. Our neighborhood just won’t be the same without you! You always offered a kind word and a smile to everyone on your daily dog walks. Rest In Peace. My condolences to your family and many friends who will miss you!
My prayers go out to Joe’s family. He will be missed. I am glad to know that he is in heaven with Mary where there is no sickness, sadness,or pain.
Joe was part of The Easton Family because his son, Curt, married by sister Alicia almost 40 years ago.
Joe was loved by all who knew him. My fondest memory is when he decided to dress up as Santa & make the rounds of the young children in the family. My son, Owen, was about 3½ years old. Santa knocked on the door and Owen sat on his lap & Santa Joe asked Owen what he wanted for Christmas. Owen said, “Tools” & Santa Joe asked, “What kind of tools?” Owen’s response was “Big Tools!” We had to hide our laughing because we expected that answer. Santa Joe also hid 2 candy canes up his sleeves & like a magic trick, he made them appear for Owen! Joe was quite special! Owen loved that Santa came to visit him personally. Other kids have to go to the mall to see Santa, but with Joe, he was also willing to go above & beyond. Joe will be missed!!
Love,
Pam Easton Llewellyn
Have known Joe for many years and he will be missed. His sense of humor always made it a pleasure to be around him. He was a great neighbor for my parents always stopping by and saying “hi” on his walks.
So sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. He was a great guy. Could repair anything. He took care of the condos for Red Austin and myself for many years (since about 1990). We knew one call to Joe, it was done! We were all Elks, and had some good times at the Lodge. I will propose an 11th hour toast to Joe here in Michigan, Lodge 2194. He will be missed greatly. I will miss the Hello Monty, what’s up!, when I called. I always sent Joe and Mary to the Wine Cellar for their anniversary. Joe said it was Mary’s favorite restaurant. You kids I feel, had very nice parents. My sympathies to your entire family. Any questions, feel free to ask, even though I’m not in Florida, I have been a funeral director for 50 years, and Joe always had a new joke for me about the business. Monty…
Joe you were a great friend and a awesome pool player. I learned much from you. The world will be a little more empty without you. Joe you served your country with honor. It time to stand down and rest. You stood your post with honors. Thank you for your service!
It was always a pleasure speaking with Joe. He had an easy going style and you always knew that he was listening to what was being said. He was a dedicated man and had a servant heart which was reflected by the various service organizations he participated in and lead over many years. When his wife passed away a few years ago, it was my honor to serve him and the family during a very difficult time. Joe will be missed greatly; but, his legacy will live on with the lives so many that he has served. A committed Veteran, Husband, Father and Friend, thank you Joe.
Our condolences to Joe’s family & friends.. You were always there with a helping hands, a kind word, or a funny joke… and I will miss those e-mails. He! He! And the best neighbor. You will be missed.. My honor to know you Joe.. Hugs Joe, Rest in Peace.
“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let Perpetual Light shine upon him.”
56th Way will never be the same again. 30 years and 5 months having you right across the street couldn’t get any better. You were like family more than a neighbor. I will miss our chats, hugs and seeing your smiling face walking the doggies. You will be truly missed.