Thomas Edward “Tom” Slater, 89, Chanute, died Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at the Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita.

Tom was born on May 18, 1923 in Coffeyville, the son of Roy Whitcomb and Lucile Penn Slater. He attended schools in Faulkner, Kan.

He served his country in the United States Navy from January 1944 to November 1946.

Tom was united in marriage to Lois P. Morris on August 22, 1947 at Yates Center. She survives.

He worked for the Santa Fe Railroad as an engineer for 38 years until his retirement. He also worked as a licensed plumber.

He was a member of the Otterbein United Methodist Church, a life member of the Chanute V.F.W., a member of the Erie American Legion, a life member of Masonic Lodge 149 in Thayer, and the Scottish Rite.

Along with his wife Lois, Tom is survived by three daughters, Charlotte Lucille “Sherry” Slater Zawadzki and her husband, Henry, Methuen, Mass., Lois Elaine Slater Donovan, Chanute, and Connie Sue Slater, Parsons; three grandchildren, Michael Zawadzki and his wife, Michele, Dracut, Mass., Jason Zawadzki, Methuen, Mass., and Lindsey Donovan, Phoenix, Ariz.; three great-grandsons, Michael, Jacob and Connor Zawadzki; a sister-in-law, Mary Slater, Alford, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Thomas Edward Slater, Jr., who passed away in 2002; two brothers, Harland and Sam; and a sister Hope Dunn.

Funeral will be 10 a.m. today, May 26, 2012 at the Otterbein United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family received friends on Friday from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel.

Memorials in his name may be made to the American Heart Association or Thayer Lodge 149, AF and AM and may be left with the funeral home.

To leave a special message for the family on-line, visit www.PenwellGabelChanute.com