Freddie Joe Slate

Freddie Joe Slate, 85 of Pampa, passed away the morning of January 5, 2016 in Amarillo. Services will be 10:00 AM Friday, January 8, 2016, at First Baptist Church, with Rev. Byron Williamson, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery with military honors courtesy of the U. S. Army. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Freddie was born April 17, 1930 in Gouldbusk, Texas, and attended Big Spring High School. He served in the Army during the Korean War and married his wife Karen “Kay” when he returned after his tour of duty in 1953. His career began in the oil field; he studied Civil Engineering at Texas Tech University and moved to Pampa in 1964 where he worked for Cabot Corporation. Freddie was ordained a deacon at First Baptist Church Pampa in 1966, taught boys Sunday school for over 20 years, and led Royal Ambassadors “RAs”. In 1973 Freddie moved with Cabot to Tuscola, Illinois where he was construction superintendent on the construction of the Cabot Cabosil Plant there. During his time in Tuscola, he led the construction of a new education building for Hillcrest Baptist Church. He returned to Pampa at the end of that project but in 1981 moved to Amarillo with Cabot Oil & Gas. He attended First Baptist Church Amarillo where he served as a deacon and volunteered for 10 years at Buchanan Street Mission Food and Clothing Ministry. Freddie retired from Cabot in 1990 and enjoyed spending summers trout fishing in South Fork, Colorado where he also helped build a church. He was a Gideon and he and Kay volunteered with the Mission Service Corp and prepared and fed many meals to the students at the Baptist Student Center at WTAMU and Amarillo College. He loved Jesus, his church and his family. He was a witty and funny man and the best friend and role model of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Freddie is survived by his wife of 61 years, Kay Slate of Pampa, two daughters, Becky Holmes and husband Jay, and Julie Barbee and husband Roger, all of Pampa, grandchildren, Lynsey & Jared Smith of Pampa, Cole & Donna Barbee of Lubbock, Bonnie & Derek Bruner of Franklin, Tennessee, and Katie & Chris Morin of Palmdale, California; great grandchildren, Kaylyn, Kendra and Kelton Smith, Faith and Grace Barbee and Oliver Morin; brother, Edward Slate of Big Spring; sister, Bonnie Stiehl of Big Spring; and sister-in-law, Clova Miller of Conroe. Freddie was preceded in death by his parents James and Lizzie Belle Slate; two sisters, Ruth Brock and Pauline Kizer; and a brother, James Slate. Memorials may be made to Gideon’s International, PO Box 140800, Nashville, Tennessee 37214-0800; or First Baptist Church, PO Box 621, Pampa, Texas 79066-0621. The family will receive friends from 5:30-6:30 PM Thursday, January 7, 2016, at Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.