Duane L. Slates
1937-2015


Cameron, Missouri- Duane Lee Slates, 77, Cameron, MO passed away on May 24, 2015 surrounded by his family.
Duane was born August 19, 1937 in DeKalb County, Missouri to Burton R. Slates and Selma (Honse) Slates.
He graduated from Cameron High School in 1955, married Karen Whiteaker in 1958 and then graduated from Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy, Rolla, Missouri with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1961. Later that year, Duane and Karen enjoyed the birth of their daughter, Kimberly.
Duane served with the U.S. Army, 23rd Engineering Battalion as a First Lieutenant in Hanau, Germany from 1962-1964. In 1964, the couple enjoyed the birth of their second child, Kevin.
In 1971, the family moved to Kingman, Kansas where Duane had a successful career initially working for Happiness Greeting Cards and then for Exxon Chemicals where he enjoyed 23 years of service before retiring in 1998. Later that year, Duane and Karen moved back to the family farm in Cameron.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Kimberly Duerfeldt and sister, Juanita Ross.
Survivors include Karen, of the home; son, Kevin (Susie) Slates, Lees’ Summit, MO; grandchildren, Kayla (Michael) Russell and Nicki Duerfeldt, Cameron.
Services: 2:00 PM, Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at Poland-Thompson Funeral Home, Cameron. Visitation: 1-2:00 PM, prior to the service. Burial: Wamsley Cemetery, Cameron, MO. Memorial Donations to the Leukemia Foundation and/or Church of Nazarene. Online condolences: www.polandthompson.com