Obituary of Harold Jon Slater

Harold Jon Slater

February, 24 1943 to January 14, 2026

On January 14, 2026, Harold Jon Slater completed his life journey and returned to the Mystery out of which he was birthed, February 24, 1943. He was born to Joseph and Dorothy (Wiegert) Slater. He spent most of his childhood in Dearborn, Michigan where he graduated from Edsel Ford High School, lettering in football and wrestling. Slater met and courted Karen Marie Ward at Adrian College. They were wed August 2, 1964 in Buchanan, Michigan between their Junior and Senior years, and shared the adventure of 62 years of marriage. 

Slater earned degrees at Adrian College (1965 B.S) and United Theological Seminary (1969 M.Div and 1989 D.Min). He earned his way through college and seminary working as a lifeguard, night-shift factory worker and student pastor, adding to and supplementing Karen’s teaching salary. He did seven years of post-graduate study with “Leadership Education, And Development” (Columbus, Ohio) where he earned a certificate of "Excellence In Ministry” with a skill set in Neuro-Linguistic Programming. 

His love of nature and passion for backpacking grew out of his experience as a Boy Scout and Explorer Scout, especially at age 12 crossing Lake Superior and spending a week on Isle Royale. He claimed the importance of two shaping experiences of his ministry. The first was participating in a protest of the Vietnam War, marching with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rev. William Sloan Coffin through Arlington Cemetery, after which visiting monuments in Washington D.C., especially the Lincoln Memorial. The second was learning and serving with the Ecumenical Institute: Chicago and becoming a disciple of Joseph Wesley Mathews while being versed in effective teaching methods, community organization, and creative theological reflection.

Ordination in 1969 started the Slater family journey through 42 years of pastoral ministry in the Detroit Conference of the United Methodist Church, serving parishes in Port Huron, Denton, Redford Township, Keweenaw Peninsula, rural St. Clair County, Oakland County - Waterford Township, Freeland, rural Midland County, St. Charles, and Reese, all in Michigan. He and the family spent a sabbatical year (1973-1974) in a learning-serving situation in inner city New Haven, Connecticut under the auspices of the Ecumenical Institute. During this time he was privileged to be a guest speaker for a class at Yale Divinity School, and for a gathering of instructors at the Westpoint Military Academy. During two years of his pastorate he was the Coordinating Chaplain at the Oakland County Jail. His passion in ministry was creative liturgy and preaching and leading 33 High Adventure Backpacking camps sponsored by the Conference for high school and college students. The venues for these were Ontario, New York State, Michigan, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. He was also a part-time consultant and teacher for the Ecumenical Institute/Institute of Cultural Affairs: Chicago, and for the Realistic Living Symposium: Bonham, Texas. In retirement, Slater was an active member of Midland United Church of Christ, where he served as a Deacon, Worship Chair, and occasional pulpit supply for his vacationing pastor. He also studied Complimentary Healing and was versed in various Shamanic disciplines, holding a certificate as a Reiki Master/Teacher. He considered himself a “life-long learner” and was a skilled writer, storyteller, and humorist, loving to hear and tell a good joke. He was a fitness buff who enjoyed long hikes, swimming (especially in the Great Lakes), various aerobic activities, and strength training. A chosen hobby was coloring mandalas. He loved, cared for, and was loved in turn by several family dogs.

He often kidded that he did all of his own stunts, but not necessarily intentionally. Most notably, he survived a tornado flinging his car into a cornfield for a roof landing (1965), a motorcycle crash with a DUI motorist (1979), falling off a horse at full gallop (1982), and open-chest surgery to replace his aortic valve (2010).

Karen and Harold established their retirement home in Midland in 2010, and from there enjoyed many drives and sight-seeing trips around Michigan and visiting various National Parks across America. 

Slater was preceded in death by his Father (Joseph), his Mother (Dorothy Payne), step-father Paul Payne, and younger brother (Paul). He is survived by his spouse and best friend (Karen), sister Nicole (Raymond) Weiss, daughters Kirsten (Matthew) Smith, Kara Anne (Jeremy) Fleminger, and son Jason (Kelly) Slater. There are seven grandchildren: Annaley and Caitlin Slater, Elizabeth and Joshua Smith, and Khaner, Isaac, and Brinley Fleminger. 

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on April 11, 2026, at “The United Church of Christ Midland.” Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. and a luncheon will follow the service. The address for the church is 4100 Chestnut Hill Dr. Midland, MI.  To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.