Edward Clifford Slease

Edward Clifford Slease (94) died peacefully in Shawnee, OK, Sunday, June, 27, 2010. Like his father, R. B. Slease, and mother, Irene (Basham) Slease Douglas, he led an active life right up to the end and to the full measure of his days. Ed Slease was born in Roswell, Chaves County, New Mexico, December 19, 1915, the third and youngest son of Reuben Bert and Irene (Basham) Slease. He was preceded in death by his wife, Catheryne "Katy" (Angell) Slease, his parents, his brother, Oscar Slease (and wife, Corinne) his brother, Clyde Slease, and his son-in-law Guilford L. Jones, Jr. Mr. Slease is survived by his daughter, Sandra Jones of Austin, TX, granddaughters, Mrs. Andy Fisher ("Misty") of Austin, TX, and Mrs. Paul Cox ("Diana") of Spring, TX, and great grandchildren, Austin Cox, Juliana Cox, Kathryn Fisher, Ryan Cox, Charisa Cox, and Anna Fisher. Mr. Slease is also survived by his sister-in-law Vivian (Angell) Laxson, sister-in-law Marion Slease, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and their spouses. Edward Slease spent his early years in Otis, south of Carlsbad, where his father was a beekeeper and farmer. Mr. Slease's first jobs as a youth were delivering papers, delivering Western Union messages on his bicycle, and gathering wild asparagus from the canals to sell to neighbors. Edward and his brothers helped their dad extract and package honey for sale. As a 13-year-old boy, he drove to Arizona by himself to help move some family members to Pecos. Edward Slease graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1933 where he excelled in football and basketball. He attended the University of New Mexico on a football scholarship. In subsequent years, Ed Slease and his Tumbling Troubadours performed gymnastic feats during the halftime of basketball games. Edward C. Slease wed Sue Catheryne Angell in 1936, and they were blessed with one daughter, Sandra Kay. Ed and Katy also played instrumental roles in the lives of their nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. They were founders of Epworth Methodist Church, Carlsbad. Ed and Katy enjoyed watching basketball games, square dancing, and trout fishing together. Slease worked for Potash Company of America (PCA) for 30 years as a Master Mechanic and inventor where he was known for his practicality. He also worked cattle with his wife Katy, in-laws, Edna and Lewis Angell, and sister-in-law, Vivian and Jimmy Laxson at the Lewis Angell Ranch, north of Carlsbad. During WWII, he operated the commissary at Thayer AFB. Later, he co-owned Mickey's (children's clothing shop) with his sister-in-law, Vivian Laxson. "Grandad" loved a good game and spent hours playing board games, ping pong, tennis, and Mexican Train with his grandchildren, great grandchildren, daughter and family. Everyone was especially fond of his weekend waffles and spicy tacos. Slease was slow to speak and the first to lend a hand. He worked every day, even after retirement, and created an amazing garden. Ed Slease's life can best be described in Paul's letter to the Thessalonians: "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." -I Thes. 4:11 Visitation will be 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM, Thursday, July 1, 2010 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 2, 2010, at First United Methodist Church, 207 N. Halagueno St., Carlsbad, NM, 88220, with the Rev. Dan Boyd officiating. Graveside committal will follow at Carlsbad Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Austin Cox, Andy Fisher, Paul Cox, Stacey Britain, Dustin Britain, and Randy Britain. Family and friends will gather at the Stacey Britain home, 1306 N., Guadalupe in Carlsbad at 3:00 p.m. on Friday. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the following charities would be greatly appreciated in loving memory of Edward Slease: Austin Samaritans, P.O. Box 161074, Austin TX 78716-1074; The Storehouse of Austin, P.O. Box 1256, Pflugerville, TX 78691, 512-989-9989. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.