Donald Slaughter

Donald S. Slaughter, 90, of Kearney passed away Monday, March 12, 2012 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Friday, March 16, 2012 at First Baptist Church in Kearney. The Rev. Stan Murdoch will officiate. Masonic rites will be conducted by the Rob Morris Lodge #46. Military rites at graveside will be conducted at the Kearney Cemetery by the Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard, VFW #759 and the American Legion #52 of Kearney. Visitation with family receiving friends will be 5-7pm, Thursday at O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney and continue one hour prior to service time at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church or to the family for future designation. On-line condolences may be submitted to osrfh.com. O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney is in charge of arrangements. Don was born on January 16, 1922 in Kearney, NE to Sam and Grace (Guessford) Slaughter. He grew up in Kearney, NE and received his early education at Stone School, later serving on the Board for many years. He continued his schooling at Kearney High School and Kearney State College. He entered the US Army Air Corp and served for four years during World War II as a pilot in the 440th Troop Carrier Group, stationed at Orleans, France. In addition to towing troop carrier gliders, he flew supplies in support of General Patton’s operations. When the war ended, he helped to transport Holocaust survivors to locations in Europe and England. He was honorably discharged on Aug 7, 1946. Don was united in marriage to Norma Bullock on July 25, 1946 in Mayfield, KY. Don farmed for 43 years, east of Kearney then sold real estate. He was a member of First Baptist Church, serving as Deacon, the Masonic Lodge, the VFW and the American Legion. He was part of the first Honor Flight from Nebraska, taken to Washington, DC to honor veterans. Don also enjoyed flying as a private, small plane pilot. He and his wife, Norma, also enjoyed many years traveling and camping. Don was a kind, loving man with a great sense of humor, who was adored by his family. He will be greatly missed. Survivors include: loving wife of 65 years, Norma of Kearney; daughter-in-law, Roberta Slaughter of Kearney; son, David Slaughter and his wife Joy, of Kearney; daughter, Julie Larsen and her husband, Thomas of Kearney; grandchildren, Lizabeth Caldwell of Sacramento, CA, Jason Slaughter of Lincoln, Alison Beieler of Seattle, WA , Dan Slaughter of Dallas, TX, Stacy Kolvek of Omaha, Brad Slaughter of Lincoln, Scott Slaughter of Blair, Kirsten Larsen of Baltimore, MD and Alex Larsen of Madison, WI; four great-grandsons and two stepgreat-grandsons. Don was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Herb of Portland, OR, David Lee of Council Bluffs, IA, LeRoy Kenneth of Kearney; and son, Mark of Ogallala

Donald Slaughter

January 16, 1922 - March 12, 2012