Daniel Ray Slater, 79, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on August 12, 2026.

Daniel was born on September 20, 1946, in Independence, Kansas, to Rev. Glenn A.

Slater and Vera B. Howerton-Slater. Known as “Danny” in his younger years, he spent much of his early childhood traveling with his parents, who were evangelists, spreading the gospel of God. As an only child traveling with his parents, he was homeschooled until the family settled in Independence, where he attended public school and graduated from Independence High School.

While in high school, Danny met Sheryl Hauser, and the two dated throughout their younger years. They stayed in touch through letters and the occasional phone call while Danny served his country during the Vietnam War. After completing his military service in the United States Air Force, Danny returned home and married Sheryl.

Together they had two children, Tina and Justin.

As he moved into adulthood, “Danny” became “Dan” to many of the friends, coworkers, and people he met throughout his life. Dan attended Wichita State University, where he earned a degree in business. He built a career as an insurance adjuster but later worked at Boeing and then Spirit for many years before retiring.

In 1997, Dan began a new chapter in his life with his longtime partner, Rosemary. For nearly 30 years, they shared love, companionship, laughter, and many adventures while building a life together in their home on St. Clair.

Dan was a Shocker through and through, and Shocker basketball was especially close to his heart. A longtime season-ticket holder, he loved cheering on Wichita State and rarely missed an opportunity to show his Shocker pride. His wardrobe consisted almost entirely of Shocker T-shirts, overalls, and Shocker hats, with one important exception: his beloved Safeside hat.

A proud Vietnam veteran, Dan was a member of the Safeside Association and the American Legion. He treasured the brotherhood, camaraderie, and lifelong friendships he shared with his Safeside 822nd family. His fellow Safesiders held a very special place in his heart.

Dan loved camping, boating, fishing, and hunting with his bird dogs. After retirement, he found another great love, his Harley-Davidson. He loved hitting the open road and took long, cross-country motorcycle trips, often stopping along the way to visit friends and family.

Those who knew Dan knew that beneath his sometimes cantankerous and stubborn exterior was an incredibly soft heart. He was kind, loving, generous, and would do just about anything for anyone.

Dan also had a language all his own. His family knew his collection of unusual sayings and “Danny-isms,” usually delivered to make someone laugh or simply because they made perfect sense to Dan. A simple “Yeah see!” could mean hello. If everyone was talking too much, they might hear him say, “Quit flippin' your jibs!” Then there were the wonderfully nonsensical sayings that could come out of nowhere: “Said be walking down the street with your hat on backwards, kicking up rocks, playing tiddlywinks, saying, ‘Mammy, you the most!’” or simply, “He who shall so shall he who.” No one was ever quite sure what some of them meant, but that was part of the fun. These Danny-isms became part of the language of loving him, and his family and friends will undoubtedly hear his voice in them for years to come.

Dan is survived by; his loving partner, Rosemary Woodson of Wichita, Kansas; his children, Tina Thomas (Dan) of Wichita, Kansas, Justin Slater of Wichita, Kansas, Darren Woodson (Patty) of Bentley, Ks; his grandchildren, Monty, Dawson, Olivia (Harrison), Devin (Miranda), Logan, Shanda (Oscar), Darren “Little Darren” (Katie), Case (Candie); and three great grandchildren; Ayden, Wynter, Autum and 1 on the way. He also leaves behind extended family, dear friends, fellow veterans, and his beloved Safeside brothers.

Dan was preceded in death by; his parents, Rev. Glenn A. Slater and Vera B. Howerton Slater of Independence, Kansas.

Dan lived a life filled with family, adventure, service, brotherhood, and laughter. He will be remembered for his humor, his stubborn streak and soft heart, his Shocker pride, his love of the open road, and the unmistakable way he made his presence known.

Whether you knew him as Daniel, Danny, Dan, Dad, Grandpa, a partner, a friend, or a Safeside brother, you knew there was only one Dan Slater.

And somewhere, we can almost hear him saying one more time— “Yeah see!”

A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 20, 2026 from 5pm to 7pm with a funeral service to follow Friday, August 21, 2026 at 2pm, both at Baker Funeral Home West, 3224 N Tyler Rd., Wichita KS, 67205.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested in Daniel's name to the Kansas Honor Flight, 401 W 1st Ave, Hutchinson, KS 67501.