Ken Slater

Ken Slater of Gainesville passed away on January 22, 2024, at age 88, after a heroic fight against complications following a bad fall and heart failure. He left surrounded by family and in the lake house he loved.  He lived authentically.  Ken was a tough nut on the outside with a tender and devoted inside.

Ken was born in Tacoma, Washington on December 2, 1935, to Bernice and George Slater.  He had a brother, Mike, and three sisters, Sally, Patty, and Sue.

As a high schooler, Ken snuck off to Hollywood, landing bit parts several movies, including The Boxer and Singing In The Rain.

After, he enlisted in the Army and was trained as a combat engineer, which reflected his lifelong love, and great talent, for building. He handled tools as if they were extensions of his hands. He served in the American zone of West Germany and later Spain. It was in Karlsruhe where he met his first wife, Mimi Grimm, and after completing his service they relocated to San Jose, California. There they had three children, Mark, Leslie, and Eric.

Following his marriage to Mimi, he relocated to Germantown, Tennessee, and met and married Irene Ward, and became like a father to Irene's four children, Elizabeth, Mark, Leslie and Forest.

Ken's career with Chicago Bridge and Iron took him all over the U.S. and the world, where he helped manage large construction projects from nuclear reactors to wastewater treatments and even a long-term oil rig refurbishment in Perth, Australia.

Ken and Irene first saw and purchased a piece on land on Lake Lanier some thirty years ago, and knew it would be where they'd ultimately retire, which they did after Ken built a dream house on their lakefront lot.

Ken brought his love and talent for building to Gainesville by constructing--long after the age when a man should be hoisting bags of concrete--the trails, bridges and gazebos of the Linwood Nature Preserve in Gainesville. He also completed the rigorous Master Gardener Course and spent countless hours volunteering.  He loved Gainesville and wanted to give back. 

Ken and Irene loved round dance and both taught and competed across the country. Ken was a gifted and internationally-recognized choreographer who wrote dozens of dances, even dedicating one to his granddaughter Laura.

Most of all, Ken built a family and extended family. He leaves his children Mark Slater of Tiburon, CA, Leslie Slater Palmatier of Carlsbad, CA, and Eric Slater of San Jose, CA; his stepchildren,  Elizabeth Ward Blaylock (predeceased), Judge W. Mark Ward, Dr. Forest Ward all of Memphis, TN, Leslie Ward Chapman of Gainesville; 13 grandchildren Brooke Ward Mills, Stephen Ward, Jack Chapman III, Katie Ward, Paige Ward, Alexandra Ward, Laura Slater, David Slater, Frank Ziegler, Matthew Ziegler, Sarah Ziegler, Courtney Slater, Daniel Slater; and great grandchildren Mallory Ward, Brock Ward, and Patrick Labbe.

Despite losing Irene in 2017, then suffering a brutal aneurysm in 2019, his spirit remained high. His daughter Leslie and her husband, Dr. Jack Chapman, added years to Ken’s life and life to his years with their constant support and presence. The family also wishes to thank his longtime caregiver Janie Fields for her tireless and devoted work.

Ken had an easy laugh, deep Christian faith and unshakeable optimism. He was a devoted and indulgent grandfather.

He leaves a legacy of strength and love that all his family and friends will forever cherish.

A memorial service will be held and live-streamed on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, Georgia 30501. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to the charity of your choice, the First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville, or the Redbud Project

Memorial Park Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, Georgia is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com

            For viewing on livestream www.facebook.com/MemRiversideNorth