Gary Gregory Slaten

Gary was born in Corona, CA on June 30, 1936. He graduated from Hemet High School in 1954 and Riverside Jr. College in 1956. Gary was then accepted to the University of Arizona as a chemistry major. But the April before he completed junior college, he met Bonnie—a young high-school sophomore of 15. Gary then changed his plans and applied for admission to UCLA and was accepted on the spot. He courted and then married Bonnie two and a half years later—a month after her 18th birthday. They spent almost 65 years together until “death do we part.”

His education that started in chemistry shifted to archeology, and then to electrical engineering. After graduation, Gary and Bonnie moved to Silicon Valley, where he worked in the emerging technical field. While there, he did graduate work at Stanford.

Gary was asked to join a group of engineers that were developing a new technology, resulting in what we know today as the compact disc (CD) and DVD. His involvement went from development, to establishing industrial standards, to manufacturing techniques, to building manufacturing plants all over the world: Canada, Spain, France, Taiwan, as well as throughout the US.

The last phase of Gary’s career was in the legal world, working with patent attorneys in patent infringement and protection litigation. He reverse-engineered products such as TVs and read boxes of legal documents to prepare for being an expert witness. As these patents expired, it eased him into the next phase of his life: retirement.

Retirement had a singular meaning for Gary: no golf or long cruises. His incredibly brilliant, inventive mind continued until his death.

Gary loved photography and photo-microscopy (microscope photography). He joined many online photo-microscopy groups, including diatoms, pollens and algae. He also loved woodworking. He developed a technique to digitalize 10,000 slides for Saguaro National Park.

Gary loved church and attended Calvary Chapel in Tucson for almost 30 years. He loved eating Chinese food with a few dear friends. He loved his four daughters, his five grandkids and his four “greats.” And he truly loved his wife, Bonnie. She says that a day did not go by when he did not tell her that…whether at home or anywhere his job took him.

His remarkable life ended suddenly from a heart condition after a full day with his wife and great grandkids, a trip to Safeway, then the most incredible trip of all; entering into the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Tovel T. Slaten and Eileen E. Slaten, and his daughter, Jana Lee Slaten.

Gary is survived by his wife, Bonnie; their three daughters, Laurie Tebo, Sharon Hitchcock, and Darci Slaten; five grandkids, Christopher Rogers, Diana Carter, Heidi Rogers, Naomi Alameda, and Becca Pitney; and four great-grandkids, Kaylee, Samuel, Hanna, and Ellie Rae.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at 10:00 AM in Tucson, AZ at Calvary Tucson East (8711 E Speedway Blvd 85710). The service will also be streamed live online at live.calvarytucson.com.