James Wilford 'Jim' Slade

James Wilford Slade, surrounded by his family, left his earthly home on March 23, 2019. He was 90 years old. He entered this world on June 7, 1928 in Kline, Colorado. He was the 15th child of Agda and Benjamin Slade. He married his loving wife, Shirley Virginia Wiebe, on June 6, 1955. They were later sealed in the Mesa, Arizona Temple for time and all eternity. They were blessed with two daughters and two sons.
Dad grew up working hard on the family farm where he learned a good work ethic. He attended a one room schoolhouse in Kline through the tenth grade. Because there weren’t any more grades at Kline, he moved to Naturita to live with his brother and to go to school in Nucla so that he could finish his last two years of high school.
He began his higher education at Fort Lewis College, later transferring to Brigham Young University where he graduated with his Bachelor’s degree. Later, he earned his Master’s degree from Adams State University. He went on to teach Spanish and English at Montezuma Cortez High School for 34 years.
Dad was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved the gospel and serving others. All of his family helped with the financing of his mission which he served for two and a half years in Argentina and he learned his Spanish. He had numerous church callings, but one of his fondest callings was serving in the temple. After his mission, he served in the army in Korea. He received an honorable release in April of 1954.
Dad worked hard all of his life to support his family. He had many jobs to supplement his teacher’s salary. He sheared sheep, was a park ranger at Mesa Verde, and volunteered at the Cortez Center. He was a custodian and school bus driver. He worked a few summers for a uranium plant, as well as worked other part time jobs. Once Mom and Dad purchased the land where they reside, he spent countless hours irrigating and working the land.
For enjoyment, Dad boxed in high school and was awarded the Golden Gloves. He enjoyed watching sports and playing softball. He and mom also enjoyed watching the high school teams compete. Dad loved being outdoors, camping, and jeeping with his family and hunting.
He will be remembered for his kind heart, an amazing spirit and people that really cared about him.
He is preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and daughter, Malvina. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; children, Loralee Reese (Clay), Scott (Lara), and Steve (Diane); grandchildren, Angelia Rasmussen (Jeff), Kourtney Hunt (Jon), Ren, Kiersten, Alec, Brooke, Jakob, Joshua, Kaela, and Tristan; and great grandchildren, Scarlet, Roman, and James.
A viewing will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 1700 E Empire Street in Cortez on Saturday, March 31st from 1:00 to 1:45. Funeral services will begin at 2:00. Interment at Cortez Cemetery.