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 absolutely loved him as my science teacher back in the 60’s. Thank the lord he had a humorous disposition. He told us that chain in the ceiling was in case of fire. I thought he was kidding… He wasn’t. He didn’t even get mad when I hooked the rubber hose off of a bunsen burner on to 2 sinks and used it for a oblong water balloon. He was a pretty interesting guy. I am sorry for the family loss.
We’ve lost a wonderful man. Stan, I’m so very sorry for your loss. Please pass my condolences to your family. Your Father was a delightful and good man.
Stan, Bill, John, Ella, Mark and families, I am very sorry to hear of your father’s and grandfather’s passing. Your father (and mother) were very special people to my entire family – as are all of you. We have very fond memories of times we spent together with your parents and you five kids – activities through our beloved little Greenwood Presbyterian Church, school (from Greenwood Elementary, through various colleges), 4-H, and many wonderful hours spent at each other’s home. I fondly remember the overnight church campouts on your farm, Fourth of July get-togethers (remember when a very young Mark put a still hot sparkler in his mouth?), the Halloween party at church where your Dad told a scary story to everyone (in the dark) and had us pass around grapes when he told about the eyeballs in the story, and numerous other activities and events. Tom recently recalled the weekend turkey hunting with your Dad and my Dad, and how your Dad helped him to learn various leaves and trees for an upcoming exam in our college biology class. I thank God for the many blessings your Dad, Mom, and all of you have been to my family, and I look forward to seeing each of you again – whether here, or in Heaven. Our love and thoughts are with you…
Tom & Jackie Krinke
I have fond memories of the Farm and the Slaughter Family. Condolences from our family to yours.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Praying for the family.
I had some of Mr. Slaughter’s classes in high school, and Ecology Club and was in the class of ’73. He was one of my favorite instructors. May his memory ever be a blessing..
Dear Slaughter family I am extremly sad to hear of your dad’s passing. He was an inspiration to my love of science and it was a pleasure to be one of his many teaching assistants and students. I have very found memories of your parents and my prayers and condolences to the entire family. SE Kansas City has lost a true gem who touched many lives in such a positive way. RIP Mr. Slaughter.
I just heard of Mr. Slaughter’s passing. Although I knew him well, I’d never feel comfortable calling him “Ivan” because I was his student in several science classes at L.S.H.S., and I loved him as a teacher so much that I became his lab assistant for his taxidermy class my senior year. His farm was where my dad took me many times, teaching me to fish & shoot. I still have fond memories of Dad asking me, “Hey, do ya wanna head down to Slaughter’s Pond and drown some worms?” Those memories of being with my dad are intermingled with Mr. Slaughter’s open invitation to fish or shoot on his farm whenever we wanted.
I think what I loved best about him was his genuineness and his humor. I saw little difference in him when visiting his farm, or sitting in his classroom, always making me laugh with his off the wall commentary. He was the best a person could be, always generous with imparting his vast knowledge of the life sciences when teaching his students or working it in during general conversations with people, gently keeping them mindful of its importance. I’ll always hold the things I learned from him as very important lessons that have helped guide my decisions about the sanctity and beauty of our living world.
I regret having had no idea he’d been a liaison pilot! I’m a WWII hitorical buff, and I feel those guys were the bravest of the brave, having the flying skills of birds, especially in small clearings in the dense jungle areas of Burma. I surely wish I could’ve said this to him personally: “Mr. Slaughter, thank you for your service to our country; you’ll always have my highest respect and deepest gratitude.”
My condolences to the family. Please know that he was a great influence on my early years and will always hold a place of the highest respect in my memory.
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