Stanley Slyter

Stanley E. Slyter was born in Havre, Montana on June 21, 1931, the second of four sons born to Harry H. and Helen Slyter. He spent his boyhood years on the windswept plains of north central Montana, helping on the family farm, rounding up horses for sale, and riding to the one-room school house in a horse-drawn cart made from the back end of a Model T Ford. When Stanley was 14, his family moved to Paola, Kansas, where his father bought a farm outside of town. They raised livestock and grain crops as he completed his high school education. After graduation, Stanley enrolled at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, where he earned a degree in Animal Husbandry. Before graduation, he met Roma Smith while in Army summer camp in El Paso Texas. He and Roma were married on December 21, 1952. Their first son, Gordon, was born in November of 1953. While he was a student at K State, Stanley joined the Army ROTC program, receiving his commission upon college graduation in 1954. As a second lieutenant, Stanley was sent to Austria where he worked personally with the general in charge of collecting, reallocating and/or disposing of Army property and materiel in that country. (One of the favorite family activities for years following was an evening of viewing Stan"s photograph slides from Austria.) After completing his tour of duty, Stanley joined the Army Reserves, eventually becoming the Captain in charge of his unit in Moscow, Idaho where he and his family moved after being discharged from active duty in Fort Riley, Kansas. They moved to Moscow because Stanley accepted the position as Beef Herdsman at the University of Idaho, a post he filled for 18 years. In 1957, his second son, Merlin, was born. During his Moscow years, Stanley was active in the Assembly of God church, serving as the church treasurer and singing in the choir. On the U. of I. farm, he maintained the beef herds and the general appearance of the farm in an exemplary condition that was recognized around the state. Stanley also traveled around the northern part of the state serving as a livestock judge at county fairs. While at the U. of I., Stanley earned his Masters Degree in Animal Husbandry. Stanley and Roma were divorced in 1965 and three years later, he married Lois Wasley from Spokane, WA. In 1973, Stan and Lois left Moscow, eventually moving to and purchasing a small mobile home park in Airway Heights, just outside of Spokane. True to form, Stanley improved that park until it became one of the most attractive parks in town. Eventually, Stanley served as a state representative for the Washington Mobile Home Park Owners Association. During this time he also drove school bus for the local school district. Both he and Lois were strong Christians, and were active in the Glad Tidings Assembly of God church in Spokane. After 12 years of marriage, Lois died. In 1982, Stanley married Wilma Moore from Paola, KS. They began their married life in Washington, but soon moved back to Paola, KS. Stanley initially worked for his brother, Dave, who owned an RV Accessory business. But in the meantime, he began acquiring residential properties either for rental or resale. Soon, this became his full-time occupation and Wilma helped in managing the properties they acquired. These endeavors occupied the final chapter of Stan"s working career and with God"s blessing, he prospered in them. Stan and Wilma were very active in the Osawatomie Assembly of God church where they were personal friends and generous supporters of the pastor and his family. After Wilma"s death in 2002, Stanley began attending the Paola Assembly of God church where he had numerous family and friendship connections. After Wilma died Stanley lived by himself in Paola, and then moved to Kuna, Idaho where he lived with his son, Merlin, and attended the Foursquare Church in Meridian, ID, where his son, Gordon, serves ^ as pastor. In February of 2008, he moved to the Grace Assisted Living Center in Meridian where he lived out the final chapter of his earthly life. He passed from us into the presence of the Lord Jesus on Saturday, May 16, 2009. Stanley was a sincere believer in Jesus Christ. Through many trials in life, he remained strong in his faith. He was a kind, gentle man who lived a life of honesty and integrity. He was a hard and industrious worker, and he passed this work ethic which he had received from his father on to his sons. Generous with the blessings God gave him, he helped family members as well as those serving in Christian ministry. From camping trips at Wallowa Lake in Oregon to sharing his time share resort in Branson, Missouri, he was a family man. His love for God and his love for family are his two greatest legacies. Stanley is survived by his two sons, Gordon (and Jodi) of Meridian, ID, and Merlin of Kuna, ID; three brothers: Leslie and Dave of Paola, KS and Lowell of Brookings, SD; three stepchildren through Wilma: Pat Hefley, Harold Moore, and Mary Payne; three stepchildren through Lois: Sherry Bleeker, Larry Wasley, and Charlotte Wasley; and numerous grand children and great grandchildren. A memorial service for Stanley Slyter will be held Wednesday, May 20, at 4:30 pm at Treasure Valley Worship Center in Meridian, ID, with Rev. Mark Hansen officiating. A viewing will be held on Friday, May 22, at 6:00 pm at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 305 N. Pearl, Paola, KS, and Stanley"s funeral will be held on Saturday, May 23, at 10:00 am, also at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, with Rev. Roy Rhodes officiating. Interment will be immediately following at the Paola Cemetery. Gifts in Stanley"s memory may be given to the Building Program of either the Paola Assembly of God Church, 1016 N. Pearl St., Paola, KS 66071, or Treasure Valley Worship Center, PO Box 545, Meridian, ID 83680.