Ivan Slaughter Jr. was born in Bethany, Missouri, to Ivan Slaughter Sr. and Jo Dorothy (Squires) Slaughter on February 12th, 1921. The young couple had just graduated from The University of Missouri and bought equipment and a farm with an enormous mortgage. Within a few years, they had lost everything and moved to Columbia, MO, where Ivan Sr. got his master’s degree. From there they moved to Eldon, MO where he was a county extension agent. They had two more boys (Frank and Joe) and a much younger daughter (Dorothy Joann). Farming was in a state of turmoil during those years and they moved up the scale, from job to job. The family focus was to collect enough livestock and machinery to make a new start.
Ivan Jr. went to twelve schools in twelve years, graduating from Greenwood High School in 1940. He had a partial scholarship to MU and went there until 1943, when he was taken from the Army Reserves to active duty. After Officer’s Candidate School, he and Margery Hablutezel were married. The young couple moved ten times until he was discharged as a first lieutenant liaison pilot in 1946. They then moved to the farm they lived on for all of their married life.
Ivan started teaching in Pleasant Hill schools, then transferred to Lee’s Summit. He continued teaching while farming on evenings and weekends for thirty years before retiring as a teacher, and maintained a working farm until his last days.
Ivan spent his limited free time as a 4-H leader, FFA advisor, and ecology club leader. He eagerly shared his knowledge with all: family, friends, and students. He loved to read, fish and hunt, especially coon hunt, and had some excellent dogs.
He and Margery continued their legacy with five children: Stan Slaughter (Linda); Bill Slaughter (Susan); John Slaughter (Sarah); Ella Hackney (Ed); and Mark Slaughter (Paula). They had seven grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. Ivan and Margery treasured their time with family and were exceptionally proud of all of their achievements.
Ivan was a lifelong observer of both human and animal behavior – both wild and domesticated. He used a unique humor and spirit to bring love and knowledge. We as his family will miss our father but are comforted to know that his legacy will “carry on!”.
Ivan was preceded in death by his wife, Margery M. (Habluetzel) Slaughter; his parents, Ivan and Jo Dorothy Slaughter and two brothers, Joe Slaughter and Frank Slaughter.
He is survived by four sons, Stan Slaughter and wife Linda Chubbuck of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Bill Slaughter and wife Susan of Skidmore, Missouri, John Slaughter and wife Sarah of Clovis, California and Mark Slaughter and wife Paula of Marshfield, Missouri; one daughter, Ella Hackney and husband Ed of Greenwood, Missouri; one sister, Joann Kennedy of Liberal, Missouri; Seven grandchildren, Sixteen great grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.
Cremation has been accorded. Services will be held at a later date.
71 Messages
I had Mr.Slaughter as a teacher at Lee’s Summit. I think of him often. Sorry for you loss.
Ella, I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. I loved having him as my biology teacher; but mostly loved being at your house and how in awe I was of your dad. He will be greatly missed. Love you friend! Katie
We are so sorry for your loss. Absolutely thought the world of your parents. So many memories.
Sorry for your loss. Ivan was a kind and generous man. I remember he always let me and my Dad fish in your pond.
What a wonderful gentleman! So glad we bottom know him.
I was fortunate to grow up right next door to my grandparents and having amazing memories of them both throughout my life. Grandpa was a wonderful teacher and the lessons he shared with me have and will continue to shape my life. I am still struggling to accept that he won’t be there every time I arrive at the farm, but I feel his presence and know I always will.
One of my favorite memories of my childhood on the farm were snow days from school. My sister, Lizzy, and I always need before we had even opened our eyes in the morning that a good snow had fallen. Grandpa would drive down with a sled tied to the back of the four wheeler, rev the engine and we would get dressed and come running. He was ornery, so of course he’d “accidentally” hit a divot in the yard or a branch and we’d go flying into a snowbank. He often talked about these adventures with us in his later years; he cherished these times as much as we did.
Another fond memory was when I was 13 years old and first learning how to drive on the farm. He had taken me out in tractors and would occasionally let me drive the farm truck, but always supervised. One day, we were doing yard work and I was asked to drive the truck down from his house to my parents. It was a short drive and should have been manageable, but I got my feet confused with clutch/gas/brake and ended up crashing the truck into an apple tree. This low-speed collision did more damage to the tree than the truck but I was still devastated. I walked up to his house to let him know what had happened and he came down with me to survey the damage. I was expecting to be in a mountain of trouble, but he ended up laughing and saying he was glad I was okay. Age had softened his heart and was always forgiving of his youngest grandchild.
I have hundreds of stories like this and know anyone who met him would have some to share. He was an icon of his time and pillar of his community. I miss him dearly and wish he could squeeze my hand, roughly kiss my cheek and again say “so long sugar!”. So long to you too, Grandpa. I will carry you with me always. All my love.
So sorry to learn of Ivan passing. We will always remember Marge and Ivan as our neighbors on 150 HWY.
We are so sorry to learn of Ivan passing. We will always remember Marge and Ivan as our special neighbors on 150 Hwy. We always enjoyed his CHRISTMAS LETTER. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
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