Mr. James Wade Slate

Mr. James Wade Slate, 78, of Salisbury, passed away Monday, August 24, 2015 at his residence following his valiant battle with cancer. He was born August 14, 1937 in Saltville, VA to the late Beulah Farris Slate and Carl Slate. Mr. Slate was a Veteran of the US Navy where he served as an Interior Communications Technician with Submarine Squadron 6. After discharge, he and his family moved to Williamsburg, VA where he worked as the TV Systems Engineer for the College of William and Mary. He was also very involved in the College's radio station, deejaying for a number of years as “Sydney Soul.” An active member of the Williamsburg community, Mr Slate coached his three sons in a variety of little league sports and was instrumental in the integration of little league sports in Williamsburg that produced the talents of Ron Springs (Dallas Cowboys), Lawrence Taylor (NY Giants) and Mel Gray (Detroit Lions) and influenced the lives of many young athletes.. He believed strongly that every child should develop his talents and his integrity. After leaving Williams and Mary, he helped build a new television station in Norfolk, VA, WTVZ. He later moved into sales where he designed and built television stations and broadcast systems for churches. He earned his Master's in Mass Communications from Norfolk State. Mr. Slate was a member of Milford Hills United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Harold B Jarrett American Legion Post and the Rowan County Wildlife Association. His first wife, Leda Mae Slate and little daughter Sherry preceded him in death. Surviving are his wife, Elizabeth Shifflette Slate whom he married on October 16, 1999; sons, Carl Millard Slate and wife Donna of Williamsburg, VA; Wade Allen Slate and wife Rose of Knoxville, TN; and James Wesley Slate and wife Beth of Salisbury, NC; sisters, Joy Slate Brooks of Virginia Beach, VA, Paige Slate Debord and Beth Ann Slate Little of Saltville, VA. Also surviving him are nine grandchildren: Jessica Slate Carter, Carl Millard Slate II, Sara Michelle Slate, Wade Allen Slate JR., Karie Slate Douglas, Kristin Slate Carter, Taylor McClure Slate, James Robert Slate and Cameron Lain Slate as well as eight great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Saturday, August 29, 2015, beginning at 10 a.m. in the Gathering Room at Milford Hills United Methodist Church. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. in the Milford Hills UMC Sanctuary, with the Rev. Carol Williams-Gilbert officiating. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka Kansas 66675 or to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29604. The family would like to express their deepest thanks to Kim Rogers, PA-C, Dr. Eric Mallico, Dr. William Brinkley and the staff at Carolina Oncology, Andrea Binkley and the staff at Advanced Home Care, and the staff at Rowan Hospice for the love, caring and exceptional medical care you provided Jim during his illness.

Mr. James Wade Slate

August 14, 1937 - August 24, 2015