Slater N. Martin, Jr. , 86, passed away October 18, 2012 four days before his 87th birthday. He was born in Elmina, Texas, October 22, 1925. Slater passed due to a recent illness.
Slater graduated from Jeff Davis High School in 1943 and went on to college at the University of Texas, 1943-1944 and shortly thereafter he was drafted to the U.S. Navy as a seaman first class. After the Navy he played guard at the University of Texas, 1946-1949; Minneapolis Lakers, 1949-56; St. Louis Hawks, 1957-60. He was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1981. He played on five World Championship teams; four with the Minneapolis Lakers and one with the St. Louis Hawks.
Slater was preceded in death by his father, Slater Martin, Sr.; mother, Thelma Lopes; wife, Faye Martin; and grandson, Brian Randall Martin.
He is survived by his sons, Slater Dugie and Jim Henry Martin and his wife Becky; grandson, Allan Slater Martin; great-grandson, Charles Henry Martin; along with numerous other loving family members and friends, which will saddened by his passing.
Visitation will begin on Sunday, October 21, 2012, from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas, 77079. A funeral service will be held on Monday, October 22, 2012, at 12:30 p.m., at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Memorial Oaks Cemetery.
Published in Houston Chronicle on October 20, 2012
