Our Dad, Coach Dean Slayton, passed from this life on Wednesday, December 14, 2022. Dad was born on March 7, 1936, in Arp, Texas, at home in an oil field camp, where his father lived while working for Sinclair Oil. He attended school in Price, Texas from the fifth grade through graduation where he excelled academically and in all sports. He was always handsome, and he continued to look like Superman throughout his entire life. After two years at Tyler Junior College, Dad was recruited to play football for Alabama, Florida State and The University of Tulsa. He chose Tulsa because it was a smaller school and closer to home. Dad graduated from Tulsa in 1958 and later obtained his master’s degree from North Texas State University. He spent most of his career as a collegiate level football coach with positions at Texas Western (now UTEP), Howard Payne, North Texas, and Texas Tech. After coaching football at Texas Tech for 16 years, he retired in 1997 as a defensive line coach. It has meant so much to us that so many of Dad’s former players continued to keep up with him even until recently. You guys know who you are, and we love you for making our Dad feel so special over so many years.
In 1955, while still in college, Dad married our mother, Marian LePelley from Price, Texas. Together they had four children: Lizanne, Kelly Dean, Sharon Jyl, and James Coe (Jimbo).
Dad later married Peggy Hall, the best stepmother anyone could ask for, and they had 40 years together before she passed away last year. When they married, our family grew with the addition of two stepbrothers and a stepsister: Denis Hall, Hal Hall and Diane Hall Morris.
Anyone who ever played for Coach Slayton, taken a class from him, or lived with him knows that he was a strict taskmaster! We found a letter from one of Dad’s former Tech players that explained him so well. “…behind that hard exterior there is a softer side that cares in the same unyielding manner. It is true love for those lucky enough to be called yours.” Thank you, Brad White, for really understanding our dad and saying it so well.
Dad leaves behind many who will cherish and miss him forever: Liz and Tim Wilson, Kelly and Kathy Slayton, Jyl Slayton Sharp Jones, and Jimbo and Shayla Slayton, as well as his beloved grandchildren, great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. Our Dad was preceded in death by his precious wife Peggy Ann Hall Slayton, son in laws Denny Peel and James Jones, and stepson Denis Hall.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
We love you, Dad. It feels like the end of an era.
Condolences, memories, and tributes can be offered to the Slayton family online at heartlandfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Heartland Funeral Home in Early.