James Lee Slater III

James Lee Slater III, 89, of Salem, Virginia, passed away on Saturday, October 31, 2009, at Virginia Veteran's Care Center, Salem, Virginia. He was born December 11, 1919, in Petersburg, Virginia, the son of the late James Lee Jr. and Dorothy Slater. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Theodore Slater and John Parke Slater. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Mildred Slater; two daughters, Cheryl Rosendahl, of Westminster, Maryland, and Jaye Tompkins and husband, James, of Portland Oregon; five grandchildren, Grant and Stephanie Rosendahl, of Westminster, Maryland, Nathan Doss and James Lee and Dylan Tompkins, of Portland, Oregon. He is also survived by two sisters-inlaw, Martha Lee Slater, of Colonial Heights, Virginia, and Joan Slater, of Petersburg, Virginia; and a host of other relatives and friends. We are especially grateful to Glen Rosendahl, Bo Childress, The Rev. J. Harmon Smith (former Chaplain at the Virginia Veterans Care Center) and the other members of "The Patio Six" for their constant support and concern. Jim's service during World War II included time in both the Army (from National Guard) and the Navy. His service in the Navy took him to several bases in the United States, and to Guadalcanal. He was discharged from the Navy as an Aviation Machinist Mate Second Class in 1945. Subsequently he served with the Virginia State Police for a period of 30 years and six months, retiring as a Sergeant in 1979. His interest in all things concerning the water led to his teaching water safety at the State Police Training School, and later to being instrumental in establishing the State Police SCUBA diving program, and was a member of the first State Police SCUBA Team. He was also, at one time, a member of the State Police Pistol Team. Jim was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Salem. A memorial service will be held at the Church at 2 p.m. Friday, November 6, 2009. Visitation will be at the Church from 1 to 1:35 p.m. before the service on Friday or after the service at the family's home. Jim's family expresses their deepest appreciation to the staff of the Virginia Veterans Care Center, especially Unit 1 East, and to Gentle Shepherd Hospice, for their excellent and loving care to Jim and to the family during his illness. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to Virginia Veterans Care Center, Unit 1 East, 4550 Shenandoah Ave. N.W., Roanoke, Va. 24017; The Alzheimer's Association, or Gentle Shepherd Hospice, 6045 Peters Creek Road, Roanoke, Va. 24019. John M. Oakey and Son, Salem is in charge of the arrangements. 540-389-5441.