Melvin Slate

Ret. USAF Chief Master Sargent Melvin Cleatus Slate, age 91 of Washington, passed away Thursday, March 25, 2021. Melvin was born November 24, 1929, in Lindsay, OK, the 3rd of 6 children born to Marion Basil Slate II and Nellie (Burrows) Slate. Melvin was raised in the Woody Chapel area, and attended Washington Schools, graduating with the Warrior Class of 1950. Melvin then attended the University of Oklahoma on a baseball scholarship, and was a member of the ROTC. Melvin answered the call of service to his country, and served multiple overseas deployments. He married the former Libby Davis, and to this union, two sons, Gove and Marion III were born. Melvin later retired after more than 31 years of honorable and distinguished service to his country. Melvin met a young widower named Elenita Cabcaban Lacson, and her son, Raymond and he later adopted a daughter, Myra. They fell in love and were married on August 13, 1990 in Angeles, Philippines, and two families became one. They settled on a small acreage near Washington, and have called it home ever since. Melvin was a man of great faith and a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge. He spent countless hours developing and training state level Masons and was also a devoted Shriner. In his younger years, Melvin spent time as a boxer and trained in Judo, earning his 3rd Degree Blackbelt and competed internationally. His later years were spent side by side with Elenita, working real estate together and raising cattle. He was a true patriot, a devoted husband and father, a wonderful grandfather and a true friend. He will be dearly missed! He was preceded in death by his parents Marion and Nellie Slate; his wife, Elizabeth Slate; and son, Melton Slate; brothers, Gerald Slate, Beral Slate, and Ralph Slate; and a sister, Faye Reed. He is survived by wife, Elenita Slate of the home; sons, Gove Dee Slate of Paris, Tx, Marion Basil Slate III of Washington, Ok, Raymond Lacson and wife Teresa of Las Vegas, NV; daughter, Myra Slate Arazo and husband Mark of Manila, Philippines; sister, Ellon Shuttleworth of DFW, TX; grandchildren Sean Slate and wife Dee Dee of Leesville, LA, Joshua Slate Sr of Washington, OK and Hazael Nicole Lacson; and great- grandchildren, Kiara, Jacob and Joshua Jr. Funeral Services are scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Saturday, April 3, 2021 at Little's Chapel, Wilson Little Funeral Home. The service will be livestreamed on our website, www.wilsonlittle.com, and our Facebook page, Wilson Little.

Melvin Slate

November 24, 1929 - March 25, 2021