Thomas Bernard Slater

Born on February 28, 1955, in Bowling Green, Ohio, Tom grew up on the family farm in Cygnet, Ohio and was very close to his grandparents Hazel and Bernard, for whom he carries his middle name.  His parents, James and Patsy, grew their family with three additional sons, Stephen (1957), Jeffrey (1962) and Douglas (1965).  The family moved to Berea in the early 60’s and were the first to depart from the farming family and communities of northwest Ohio.  As a little leaguer, Tom excelled as a pitcher and went by Tommy.  He and Steve delivered newspapers together, invested in go-carts, stereos and bikes, always having money in their pockets from the newspaper route.  All the son’s developed a love for camping and the outdoors, fueled by being Boy Scouts and by the family trips across the country, all with tents, sleeping bags, cooking gear and Jim behind the wheel of the family station wagon.

Love of the outdoors and its landscape remained within Tom, for his entire life.  He had a landscaping business, sold Christmas Trees and always seemed to tie his being, with plants and nature.  He chose his own path in life, did well at times, and struggled at times.  No matter how much or how little he had however, he exhibited a generosity and willingness to give to others, that will always be remembered.  He lived his life on his terms.             

He had a connection with the family farm in Mohicanville that was and will always be, simply remarkable.  He spent hours working in the forest, planting over 20,000 seedlings, converting corn fields back to forest.  He cleared pathways and then lined them with daffodils that bloom beautifully, year after year.  It was true, when trees fell in the forest, he would spend days clearing and cutting, with absolutely no concern for what was happening “outside of the forest”.  He had no concerns about lack of a cell signal, no interest in social media, he lived as one with the environment around him.  His purity and dedication to the forest was admirable and unique.     

Tom’s parents and brothers, all surviving him, will always remember him for who he was.  Stefan, Nichole, Brooke, Simone and Samantha, his nephew and nieces will always remember him, as he has left all he possesses to them.  His dear niece Kalista departed this world before he; may they both be resting in peace. His laughter, generosity, curiosity and unique view of the world will live beyond him.

In recent years, as a family, we have strengthened our bonds, our relationships, much of it coming via Tom and a new focus on the farm at Mohicanville.  The place where Tom went back to his origin, where he lived, worked and loved nature; the place where Tommy’s remains will be placed for eternity. 

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