Obituary of James Dickey Slater

James Dickey Slater, age93, born in Butler, PA August 19, 1924 at 11:30 PM. Son of James Edmund McMullen Slater and Alma June (Hockenberry) Dickey, who both preceded him in death. He was the 6th generation of both paternal and maternal families to have lived in Pennsylvania. Raised in Greensburg, PA and graduated from St. Benedicts grade school ('38) and Greensburg High School ('42). Received a BS degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh (1947) and a Civil Engineering Certificate from The Ohio State University ASTP program (1944). A veteran of World War II, served as a Sergeant in Co. D, 1298 Combat Engineer Battalion which was attached to the Second Marine Division and was with the first troops to land in Nagasaki, Japan Sept 23, 1945. Mr. Slater was a Registered Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania (#18951-E) and had 42 years service with The Columbia Gas System serving in various capacities in Uniontown, PA, Pittsburgh, PA and Columbus, OH. In college he was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, Pres. of Inter-Fraternity Council, Druids, Pitt Rifles, Engineering and Mines Cabinet. His interests in addition to family, children, and grandchildren include travel, beginning in 1938 with a trip to Cuba and through the years numerous trips to Europe, The Middle East, No. Africa, Hawaii and 5 trips to Bermuda. Other interests were golf, genealogy, springer spaniels, and his 1963 Mercedes. From age 27 he researched his maternal family back to 1718 in Haugenberg Germany and his paternal family back to 1658 in Ormescheim, Alsace /Lorraine Germany when the surname was spelled (Schlehdorn) accumulating over 2000 names over 12 generations. Active in Community, Fraternal, Veteran, Business and Social organizations; he was now or formerly a member of the following: Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers, Uniontown Country Club, Uniontown Lions Club, St. John's Athletic Association, Question Club of Uniontown, Knights of Columbus Council 1426, Elks Lodge #600, Linworth Kiwanis Club, York Temple Country Club of Worthington, OH, American Legion Post 15, V.F.W. Post 1599, Penn National Golf Assn., First Family of Franklin County, Kittochinny Historical Society, American Gas Assn., Pennsylvania Gas Assn., New York Gas Group, Ohio Gas Association, Maryland Gas Operators. Second Marine Division Association, University of Pittsburgh Alumni Assn., Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War, Waynesboro Country Club & Institute of Retired Persons. James is survived by his wife of 68 years, Edna F. Karcher Slater, 3 children, James Richard, Jonathan Kevin & Jauffre Todd as wella 2 grandchildren, lauren & Hilary Slater. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday Morning, 10:00AM at St. Corneloius Catholic Church, 160 Ridge Rd., Chadds Ford, PA where friends may call from 9-10AM. Interment will be held privately at the Greensburg Cemetery, Greensburg, PA.