Daniel J. Slater

Daniel J. Slater, 74, Emporia, Kansas, passed away at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, on Wednesday, November 29, 2023.

Daniel was born in Topeka, Kansas on October 20, 1949, the son of Sonny and Esther (White) Slater.  He married Connie Lake in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas on August 5, 1972.  She survives of the home.  Other family members include son;  Matthew (Sharae) Slater, Emporia, Kansas, daughters; Danielle (Richard) Johnson, Emporia, Kansas and Cathy (Tyler) Worcester, Topeka, Kansas, brothers;  Tom (Dori) Slater, Wichita, Kansas, Mike (Kristin) Slater, Colorado Springs, Colorado, sisters;  Rhonda Slater, Allen, Kansas, and Kim (Jim) Dhority, Reading, Kansas, grandchildren;  Lenia and Brady Crouch, Charlotte Slater, Paul-Michael, Emersyn, and Kohen Johnson, Beckham and Slater Worcester.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

From September, 1982 to January 2013 he served as Lyon County (Kansas) Controller, then as a County Commissioner in Lyon County from January 2013 until November 2020.  He received his Bachelor Degree from Washburn University, Topeka. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Most people knew the “indoors Dan,” the guy in the county office and the commissioner behind the table.  But he was really “outdoors Dan,” the guy in the kayak with a fishing pole, the guy behind the wheel of the ski boat/pontoon pulling tubers on the area lakes & reservoirs, the guy toting a shotgun through a Flint Hills pasture in search of whatever bird/fowl was in season (and always with a trusty hunting dog beside him), the guy coaching his daughters’ soccer & softball teams (and always underneath one of the wide-brimmed sun hats and behind big, cool sunglasses).

Dan loved playing golf, puttering around the garden & yard, and relaxing on the patio swing.He also enjoyed spending as much time with all of his grandchildren as he possibly could, whether it was attending one of their many activities, decorating sugar cookies with them all at Christmas or enjoying homemade ice cream with them on the 4th of July. He also loved and was loved by many dogs throughout his life, including Bella who is missing her treat sneaking dad.

Cremation is planned.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Emporia, on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 10:30 A.M. Mass will be celebrated by Father Carter Zielinksi, of the church. A graveside service will be held at the Prairie Grove Cemetery west of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas at 2:00 PM that afternoon.  The family will receive friends at the Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, Emporia, Tuesday evening December 5, 2023 from 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM.

A memorial has been established with the Lyon County Hunter Education Program with contributions sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box #175, Emporia, Kansas 66801.