Erastus Kay "EK" Slade

Erastus Kay Slade, 99, passed away Friday, January 10, 2025 in Eagar, Arizona. He was born on the 4th of July 1925 to Maggie May Baird Slade and Erastus Snow Slade. He was the seventh of eight children. He grew up in Eagar with his three brothers and four sisters. He learned at an early age that it was always best to be surrounded by his family. For all of Kay’s life, family was important to him!

School came easy to Kay. He was able to ‘skip’ a grade, thus putting him solidly on the path to finding his forever sweetheart and eternal companion, who was originally in the class ahead of him. He fell hopelessly in love with LaVerne Lee during his senior year at Round Valley High School. He and LaVerne were in the graduating class of 1942. 

At a very young age, Kay was fascinated with airplanes. He dreamed of someday becoming a pilot. At the time of his high school graduation, the war (World War II) was really ramping up. He decided to go down to Luke Air Force base and see what he would have to do to enter the Army Air Corp. He was tested to see if he could qualify. He passed with flying colors, so he signed up. He received his call-up papers in the spring of 1943 with a report date of August 13th. He immediately went to Nutrioso where LaVerne lived and declared “Take me now or never!” They were married on August 11, 1943. The next day LaVerne put him on the train in Phoenix heading for bootcamp.

Kay trained as a pilot in the Army Air Corp (which later became the Air Force). He flew many different planes and was stationed from Texas to California and many places in-between! His favorite would forever be the Michell B-25 Bomber. He loved to fly and was planning to make a career in the Air Corp, but when LaVerne became pregnant with their first child, he decided that the military life, with its constant reassignments around the world, was not conducive to raising a family. He gave up the flying life and returned to his mountain home in Eagar.

Kay became the Postmaster in Eagar Arizona. He worked for the U.S. Post Office for over 30 years. During his time at the post office, Kay took up the hobby of stamp collecting. He continued this hobby for the rest of his life. He created a stamp collection that is truly amazing.

Kay always loved to travel and took his family on summer vacations all through their growing up years. From the Seattle World’s Fair to the tall buildings of Manhattan and many parks and seashores in between, he drove with his wife and children to experience what life was like out in the world! They always happily returned to their Arizona mountain home.

Kay loved to plant a big garden, growing corn, carrots, peas, cabbage, beets and more. He would also help in the harvesting and canning of all the homegrown goodness! He had a special way of weeding the corn which he taught to each of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Irrigation day was always a huge undertaking on the Slade property!

Music and dancing were a big part of Kay and LaVerne’s life! They rarely missed a 4th of July dance and for many years they were members of a square-dancing club. The most fun was had within the walls of their home. You could often glimpse them Jitterbugging in the kitchen or family room as the children and grandchildren smiled and clapped to the beat of the music. 

Each year in the wintertime, Kay would get a commercial Forest Service contract permit to cut Christmas trees. He and his family would go out to the assigned area and brave the winter weather to cut trees and then transport them to Tucson to be sold to the owners of the Christmas tree lots. Many a Thanksgiving dinner waited for hours for Kay and his Christmas tree cutting crew to return home! That was just life in the Kay Slade home for many years; lots of cold feet and hands but also lots of shenanigans and laughter.

Kay and his sweetheart wife served and helped and loved people! It just seemed to come naturally to them. Kay served as Bishop of the Eagar LDS Ward for close to a decade. LaVerne was right by his side supporting him. They made a great team together for 72 years! They created friendships with people from shore to shore and even beyond. Together they served 3 full time missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They loved serving in the Washington DC area and in the Houston, Texas area along with making forever friends with the ranching people of Pie Town, New Mexico! 

Kay was known by many names…Pilot, 4th of July Fly Boy, Postmaster, Bishop, Brother, Uncle, Friend, Mentor and many more, but his favorites were Husband, Dad and PaPa! Kay loved his family fiercely. He would spend hours at the kitchen table with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, playing dominos and board games, always with peanut M&M’s close by!

Kay was preceded in death by his sweetheart of 72 years, his daughter, Kaynetta Lynn and grandson, Stephen Gillespie.

He is survived by his sons, Keith (Judy) Slade, Leon Slade, daughters, Peggy (Max) Reid, Robin (Paul) Lamoreaux, 16 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren. He will be loved forever and fondly remembered as Papa.

Kay was a friend to all, a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and a devoted husband, father and Papa and a true believer in life-ever-after. This isn’t goodbye but just see ya later Papa! 

A funeral service will be held Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Eagar Stake Center, with visitation one hour prior. Interment will follow the services at the Eagar Cemetery.