John Michael Slater

John Michael Slater was born to Louis and Lena (Roset) Slater on September 27, 1939 in Kane, Pennsylvania. John passed away peacefully on December 4, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. John grew up in the small town of Sheffield in Northwestern Pennsylvania. The family including the four children, moved to a small hamlet of 11 houses called Royston when John was four years old.

John graduated from Sheffield High School in 1958. He attended Gannon University in Erie, graduating with a degree in Business in 1962. He moved to Arizona and attended Arizona State University (ASU), getting a degree in Elementary Education. While attending ASU John met his wife of 49 years, Socorro Mendoza Slater. They were married at the All Saints Catholic Newman Center at ASU on December 26, 1964. They moved to Santa Maria, CA for John’s new elementary school teaching role. John earned a master’s degree in education from Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo.

John and Socorro returned to their forever home in Tempe in 1969, where they stayed until their respective passings. John started teaching 5th grade the Chandler Unified School District, ending up moving to 3rd grade, and retired 1994. John and Socorro were huge fans of ASU football, and he was proud of Gabriela and Stella who study at ASU. John loved Sedona and enjoyed living there for several years. John and Socorro loved to travel, they drove all over the U.S. and visited Europe, Central, and South America. John was always the life of the party and in his younger days was the Jitterbug king, he loved to dance. Socorro and John were blessed to have many great friends and led an active social life. The loved attending the Sedona Jazz on the Rocks annually. In retirement John worked at Costco handing out samples, where he was able to see so many friends, where he was lovingly nicknamed the “Mayor.” John was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He was a dedicated, caring, and loving person and all are blessed for having him in our lives.

John is preceded in death by his siblings Madeline Slater Straneva, Louis “Jerry” Slater and his wife Socorro Cons Mendoza Slater. He is survived by his sister Kathy (Bob) Slater Davis and two children: Helenmarie (Jimmy) Mendoza Slater and Rose Slater; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. The light of his life was his three granddaughters: Isabela Evans, Gabriela Evans and Stella Rose Speridon.

A Celebration of Life Mass will be held of Monday, January 15, 2024 at 11am at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 1800 E. Libra, Tempe. Reception and lunch to follow the Mass at the Holy Spirit Hall.