SLADE, Darwin L.

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ July 13, 2009 Darwin L. Slade, 84, of Eagar died July 8, 2009, in Springerville. He was born Sept. 27, 1924, in Eagar, one of seven children born to Richard and Dora Maxwell Slade. He attended Round Valley High School and upon graduation in 1942 enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving as a radio operator for the duration of World War II. He was a graduate of Arizona State University in 1951. He taught school and coached high school football for 50 years. He taught and coached in Eagar, McNary, Sunnyslope, Springerville and Round Valley High School. In 1990 he was inducted into the Arizona Coaches Hall of Fame. He loved camping in his beloved White Mountains, Dutch oven cooking and entertaining his family and friends with stories and songs of his rich Arizona pioneer heritage. He was a master gardener and loved canning and sharing its yield with family and friends. Several times over the years he and his wife won first place in the town's Christmas home-decorating contests, and they loved hosting their annual Christmas morning breakfasts. He enjoyed sports of any kind and will be remembered for both his playing skill and his coaching ability. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many capacities, including bishop and temple ordinance worker. In 1950 he married his beloved wife, Ethel Sanders, and they were the parents of four sons and one daughter. He is predeceased by his parents and brothers Richard Terrance, Curtis Lavar, Preston "Pete" and Merwin "Conch." He is survived by his wife Ethel of Eagar; brother Elwin (Alice) of Tucson; sister Dorene Ford of Safford; children Alan (Judy) of Mesa, Steve (Donna), Everett (Tammy) and David (Cindy), all of Eagar; and daughter Paula Kraemer (Bob) of Chandler; 21 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Saturday, July 11, at the LDS Stake Center on Main Street in Eagar. Burial followed in the Eagar Cemetery.