S. DAVID "SLICK" SLICTON

1941 - 2024

S. Dave "Slick" Slicton, February 2, 1941 –April 22, 2024, was a Sonora native and Marine Corps Veteran. He attended Columbia Elementary School and Sonora High School where he ran track, played football and wrestled. He was also in FFA and raised livestock for the fair. Shortly after graduation he worked at Pickering Lumber. After a stint at the mill, Dave entered the US Marine Corps and achieved the rank of Corporal. While in the Marines he was in Hawaii, and did his USMC mountain training at Pickle Meadows on Sonora Pass. As a Marine he went to Japan and had many fond memories of his time there. He found the Japanese people to be very friendly-especially the kids. He taught the kids how to play volleyball and they had fun.
Dave met his wife to be, Carole Mae Bradley at a party in San Diego, California. They married on 20 June 1964, at Holy Family Catholic Church, San Diego. They honeymooned in Carmel. Soon after, Dave finished his military service and returned to Sonora with his bride where they established their home. Carole and Dave remained married for 57 years until her death in 2022.
Dave had a strong work ethic and was an excellent provider for his family. He was an Area Representative for World Book Encyclopedias. He worked many strenuous years as a Laborer in road construction with Harrold Towers and then George Reed Co. During the wet season he worked as a gravedigger, delivered milk and was a garbage man. He sold and repaired STIHL saws for many years.
In 1985, he left construction and shifted focus to auto sales and worked at Kelley Motors and retired from truck sales at Steve's Chevrolet, Oakdale.
During retirement, he worked part time with the Tuolumne County Probation Department driving juveniles to different facilities. He had a soft spot for troubled youth and enjoyed that job.
Dave started a hog farm in the 1970's which quickly became a family enterprise. His three daughters worked with the pigs and were all part of 4-H. Dave was active in his daughters' interests and attended ballet recitals, school performances and sporting events.
A good cook and bread baker, Dave opened Aunt Hattie's Pasties in a little shop on HWY49. He put in long hours and the pasties were delicious. This too was a family enterprise with his retired mother Mabel (Dambacher) Slicton working the counter.
An avid reader of history and with a keen interest in politics, Dave was an active community member. He and Carole were both steadfast in their work and support for the Tuolumne County Republican Central Committee. Dave served as TCRCC Chair for 14 years. He helped many local candidates run for office such as Dave Wynne (Assessor), Ray Antonini (Sheriff), Delbert and Larry Rotelli (Supervisors, Mayor). Candidates as recent as the last election, sought his advice on their candidacies. Dave and Carole also worked with State and National campaigns and routinely invited candidates to visit Tuolumne County-Bob Dornan, Lt. Governor Mike Curb, among many others. Dave was proud to have met Gov. Deukmejian, members of the Reagan family, and was invited to Reagan's Presidential Inauguration. Dave was on the Board of Trustees for the Columbia Unified Elementary School District. He also attempted a run for Supervisor in District 1.
Dave was a 40-year member of the Sonora Elks Lodge where he worked tirelessly to promote Family Night Dinners and Elks fundraising activities. Dave and Carole were key organizers of the annual Elks Picnic. Dave was a superb fundraiser and event organizer. Most deservedly, he won Elk of the Year three times-an amazing and rare accomplishment.
The USMC and veteran's issues remained important to Dave throughout his life. He founded the Marine Corps League in Tuolumne County. He began the Veteran's Breakfast at the Sonora Elks Lodge. An hour before the Veteran's Breakfast, he would have a special breakfast only for Marines in honor of their unique service and to acknowledge the Marine Corps birthday (November 10, 1775).
A catcher bearing #5 on his jersey, Dave played (with intensity) Adult League Men's Softball for Running Bear Ford Mercury for many years. The friendships that developed among the team members and their families have remained until today.
When Dave's daughters were young, girls were still excluded from Little League. Playing sports had been essential in his life and he wanted his daughters to have the same opportunities as he had. He was key in getting girls softball started through the Tuolumne County Recreation Department. Yes!
EVERYONE who knows Dave, knows about his incredible garden. He grew the most magnificent garlic and onions in the winter. In summer he grew peppers which he picked, packed them in jars with his garlic-little salt and vinegar and WOW. But, it was his TOMATOES for which he was famous. Over many years Dave selected his seeds from the largest, sweetest, juiciest yet firm tomatoes in his garden. He gradually developed his own hybrid of "Shaws Flat" tomato. Dave was proud of his garden and shared generously with friends and family.
The Slictons and Dambachers have deep roots in Shaws Flat. To demonstrate their love and commitment to their community they created the Shaws Flat Community Scholarship which is administered through the Sonora Area Foundation. A Shaws Flat Community Picnic was held annually at the Mountain Brow Winery. Dave would orchestrate the tables, chairs and food. Carole would get the word out and always included the opportunity for people to donate to the scholarship that would benefit a student from Sonora High and Alternative High School.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Carole Mae (Bradley) Slicton, his parents Mabel Viola (Dambacher) Slicton and Charles Fredrick Slicton, and his brother, Gale Allen Slicton. After the illness and passing of his wife in 2022, Dave ate out more often and enjoyed the friendship of many at Pinocchio's, Gus's, Morelias, Willow Whisp and Covers. He appreciated the food and the company. The Doughnut Shop was his weekly anchor--Friday mornings for coffee with his friends. When the grandkids were visiting –Doughnut Shop with Grandpa!
Dave is survived by his three daughters, Lori Slicton, of Alameda, Juli Slicton, of Sacramento, Becky (Slicton) Errotabere, of Lincoln; sons in-law, George A. Buckingham, of Sonora, Steve Errotabere, of Lincoln and AFS student, Inga Bjorg Hjaltadottir, of Iceland; grandchildren Eli Slicton-Williams, Hannah Slicton-Williams, Carmen Slicton-Buckingham, Adam Errotabere, Owen Errotabere, and Taylor Crutchfield; sibling Linda (Slicton) Bernhard of Montana and numerous nieces and nephews.
USMC, construction, selling cars, gardening, softball, politics-whatever Dave did, he gave it his ALL and in doing so, developed lifelong friendships and respect among his peers. Most of all, Dave focused on his friends, family (including his dog!) and his awesome grandchildren--each one a favorite!
His love and dedication to our community, patriotism and independent spirit will be missed but not long forgotten. He will be buried in the Historic Shaws Flat Cemetery for which he was caretaker for thirty years.
In lieu of flowers or cards, donations can be made to:
The Veterans of Foreign Wars
The Slicton Family Scholarship through the Sonora Area Foundation.