Louis Lee Slate

Louis Lee Slate, 91, passed away Friday, August 22, 2003, in Fairfield, California.

Mr. Slate was born August 18, 1912, in Tangent, Ore., and moved to Pasadena, California with his family at age 10. Following graduation from high school, he relocated to Paso Robles, California where he and his father Frank P. Slate started California Almond Orchards, Inc. ("Cal-Al"). In 1964, he sold Cal-Al to Tenneco West, headquartered in Bakersfield, California, where, as vice president, he continued to oversee the growing, processing and marketing of California almonds for Tenneco and for the large number of independent almond growers throughout the state who relied on his vast knowledge and expertise in the industry. During his 60-year career, Mr. Slate became the most well-known individual in the California almond industry, and was highly respected by his colleagues, competitors, growers, brokers and buyers, not only in California but throughout the world. In 1985, in recognition of his unique stature in the worldwide almond industry, the International Tree Nut Association bestowed on Mr. Slate its highest award, "The Golden Nut Award," in a special ceremony in Hamburg, Germany.

In 1936, he married Helen Elizabeth Rainey. The couple subsequently had two sons, Richard Lee Slate and Davis Louis Slate. Louis and Helen Slate had been married for more than 67 years at the time of his death.

In addition to his dedication to his business activities, Mr. Slate was involved in many volunteer and civic activities, including his service on the Paso Robles Unified School District Board. He was a longtime supporter of the Republican Party and an avid sports fan. He particularly enjoyed watching his favorite baseball team, the San Francisco Giants. After he retired, he and his wife Helen traveled extensively, and for many years enjoyed spending a

portion of their winters in Mexico.

He is survived by his wife Helen of Fairfield, California; his sons, Richard of North Hollywood, California and David of Tiburon, California; his sister Dorothy Baxter of Paso Robles, California; three grandchildren, Stephanie of Novato, California, Susan of Grass Valley, California and Michael of Petaluma, California; and great-grandchildren, Kyle, Gabrielle and Camille Pflugradt of Noato, California, Franz and Heidi Shimek of Grass Valley, California and Kendall and Porter Slate of Novato, California.

At his request, there will be a small private ceremony for his immediate family.

The family requests donations be made to the Lupus Foundation of Northern California; or the charity of donor's choice.