Obituary of Lawrence James Slater

Raised in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Larry came to Washington in the US Army, stationed at Fort Lewis as a Radio Operator. He was taken to our Lord on 27 Feb 2024. Larry was athletic and adventurous, playing sports and working jobs that served his strength. Drafted into the Army he was trained at Fort Carson, Colorado before being stationed at Ft. Lewis. While serving he deployed to Korea, Alaska, and Germany. After serving his 2 years he worked to support his family with his wife Muriel (LaCoursiere) Slater. His plans were interrupted when he was recalled to service for the Berlin Wall buildup. Returning to civilian life Larry and Muriel worked to build a future with his son’s which eventually totaled 5. After securing a job with Tacoma Newsprint (later Boise Cascade) in Steilacoom, WA, they looked to build their home in Spanaway, WA. He made paper for 40 years with the last 20 years in Wallula, Wa.

His roots in farm life led them to raise many animals so the children could learn responsibility and feed their growing family. Along with adding cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, rabbits, dogs, cats, they found time to add 2 daughters to the Slater Clan.

All these children meant Larry and Muriel would also be busy with coaching baseball, Mom was the best score keeper, helping with scouting, camping, fishing, hunting, clam digs, band concerts, and parades to name a few.

Larry and Muriel built their house in Spanaway and made it a home. Several changes came over the years. Early neighbors thought someone was building a new church as they could imagine a house so big.

This energy caught the eye of the local Fire Chief who recruited Larry to become a volunteer Firefighter/EMT, serving for nine years with the Spanaway/Elk Plain Fire District #7. Muriel in turn became a leader in the fire department Ladies Auxiliary. Together they championed volunteer support in the annual Santa Run’s and annual dances. He was always eager to help those in need whether it was an emergency or help around their home or car. He gladly put those skills he learned taking care of his own home and vehicles to lighten the burden for others.

In retirement Larry enjoyed family gatherings for the holidays and the marriages of his extended family. Outdoor activities expanded with learning shrimping and his new log splitter.

He is preceded in death by his parents Forrest and Valada (Fletcher) Slater, brother Forrest Jr. and son Tracy Slater. He is survived by his loving wife Muriel, Son’s Steven (Chong Yi), Scott (Lori Schlosser), Stacy (Coral Myers), Brian, Daughter’s Meredith, and Melissa (Jerome) Wrenchey, his Sister Deanna (Slater) Moscato, Sister-in-Law Nina (Crosun) Slater. His life was filled with 14 grandchildren, Daniel (Tiffany) Slater, Lucas (Kate) Slater, Denise Richards, Katrina (Mitchell) Davis, Bjorn Slater, Kristian (Tamara) Slater, Salish (Tesla) Orchard, Alara (Jonathan) Russell, Katie (Blake) Magee, Victoria Wrenchey, Zachary Goodin, Carissa (Dawson) Dressel, Emma Slater, Jacob Wrenchey and 22 great-grandchildren.

Services will be 14 March 2024, 1pm at Redeem Church inside Peoples Plaza, 9315 Gravelly Lake Drive, Lakewood, WA, 98499. Internment will be a later, private ceremony.