Robert Slaydon Jr.

The wonderful adventure of Robert (Bob) Slaydon, Jr. concluded on Wednesday, April 8, 2015. Bob was born May 15, 1937 in Childress, Texas, the only son of Robert Earl Slaydon, Sr. and Mary Louise Wier. Bob found his calling and the gateway to the world in the Earth Science departments of Lamar State College of Technology in Beaumont and Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. He credits Dr. Frank Beck, mineralogy professor at Lamar and Dr. Arthur Ehlmann, professor of mineralogy at TCU for opening his eyes to the natural wonders of geology. This would carry him to the next adventure. He married his wife, partner, and best friend in life, Jody Cooper, June 15, 1962 at Wesley Methodist Church in Orange, Texas. He was employed as a gemologist with Humble Oil, later becoming Exxon. In 1968, Bob and his family were transferred to Sydney, NSW Australia to work for Esso Australia. His first day at Esso, he met the Librarian, Patricia Lapworth from England, a true geologist. She introduced him to The Gemological Association of Australia. He received his diploma March 1, 1972. Metal smith, Walraven Van Hackeren, taught Bob how to "make the metal do what you wanted it to do." Australian Jeweler, Mark Young, taught him stone setting techniques and engraving. Bob attended faceting classes and studied the art of diamond cutting, wax model making and casting. He received his diploma from Gemological Institute of America on August 4, 1975. What started as a hobby in Sydney, quickly turned into a full fledge business after their transfer to Midland, Texas. In 1970, Gems'n Jewelcraft was officially born. The opportunity to provide a living for his family while doing what he was truly born to do was one of Bob's greatest blessings in life. Bob was a true raconteur. With a gleam of awe in his eye, he could illustrate for you the geological and geographic adventure that brought a stone from its prehistoric beginning, into your possession. Bob enjoyed long term relationships with many of the world's foremost diamond experts, naming among his close friends the most talented cutters from Israel, miners from Africa and brokers the world over. Bob was himself widely renowned for his expansive knowledge of rare stones. He retired in late 2013. Bob's family would like to express their deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks to special people that gave Bob such excellent care over the years. We are forever grateful to Rhonda Jones, the staff at the Vogel Center and the staff at Legacy Ranch Alzheimer's Care Center. Bob was "Daddy" to two daughters, Susan Page and husband, Bob, of Canyon, Texas and Cynthia (Cyd) Bradford and husband, Tony, of Boulder, Colorado. He was "PawPaw" to his grandchildren, William Higgins, III and wife, Evyn, of San Angelo, Texas, Seth Higgins of Galveston, Texas, Lucy Higgins (the Angel who welcomed him to Heaven with two fishing poles in her hand), Tristan Bradford of Boulder, Madison Bradford of Boulder, and Cash Page of Canyon. Bob did not author this epilogue, but he did insist on providing a quote for it, saying, "I want everyone to knowthat my life was truly a testament to my wife, Jody. I owe her everything. She has been the light behind every smile. I love her so." The family will receive guests from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Sunday, April 12, 2015 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, April 13, 2015 at First Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Permian Basin Area Foundation-Christmas for Our Troops Fund, 200 N Loraine St, Midland TX 79701 or to The Alzheimer's Association, 440 N. Big Spring St, Midland, TX 79705. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made to www.npwelch.com.