Roll Call Tribute

Randolph L. "Randy" Slater 

October 7, 1952 - February 22, 2026 

Randy Slater was born on October 7, 1952, to John and Martha Mae Leary Slater in Killeen, Texas. The family moved to Orange Grove in 1956. Randy graduated as Salutatorian from Orange Grove High School in 1971. In his youth, he worked alongside his brother Donald raising cattle and hogs, and he participated in the Jim Wells County Fair and the San Antonio Livestock Show, winning several grand champion honors with the hogs he raised. He also held various agricultural leadership roles during high school.

Randy attended Texas A&M University beginning in 1971 but was drafted in December 1972 during the final round of the draft of the Vietnam War. He served two years in the U.S. Army and returned to Texas A&M in the spring of 1975. While at Texas A&M, he was involved in numerous agricultural organizations and honor societies. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education in 1977 and completed his Master of Education in 1978. He married the love of his life, Eileen Nesloney, on February 2, 1980.

Upon graduation, Randy became the manager of a swine operation near Temple. In 1981, he and Eileen moved to Beaumont, where he worked as an agricultural lender with Farm Credit System of Texas until 2009. After a brief time as a mortgage lender, he joined Texas First Bank in Winnie as a commercial and agricultural lender, where he worked until his retirement in 2018. In 2020, they moved to Bryan to enjoy retirement closer to their children and grandchildren.

Over the years, Randy was deeply involved in church leadership. At St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Beaumont, he served as Senior Warden, Sunday and Wednesday class leader, and Head Usher for 11 years. He also served for many years as a delegate to the Episcopal Diocese Council of Texas and was a member of the Finance Committee, as well as several search and church development committees. After later becoming a Methodist, he was a member and Chairman of the Finance Committee at Wesley United Methodist Church in Beaumont, and also served as an usher and President of the Wesley Men’s Ministry.

Randy was active in his community, serving as treasurer for the Coastal Cattlemen Association, Vice President and later President of the Winnie Lions Club, and a grant reviewer for the Baytown Area United Way. As a member of the Jefferson County Young Men’s Business League, he worked as a contract writer and served on the Exhibit and Concession Committee.

In his earlier years, Randy enjoyed running marathons and hiking in the mountains; later in life, he found great joy in woodworking.

Randy dearly loved spending time with his daughters, Amy and Caitlin, and his grandchildren, Jace and Davey. He especially looked forward to the annual summer family reunion, when siblings, spouses, nieces, and nephews gathered for several days. He also cherished Christmastime, when the family made every effort to be together again.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Eileen Nesloney Slater; his daughters, Amy Cook (Andrew) and Caitlin Williford (Channing); his grandsons, Jace Cook and Davenport (“Davey”) Williford; and his soon-to-be-born granddaughter. He is also survived by his siblings, Donald Slater (Amanda), Kathy Slater, Allen Slater (Victoria), and Nancy Oswald (Kevin); his nephew, Karl Slater (Jenny); his nieces, Casey Jewell (Rick), Jessica Oswald, and Cassandra Altenbern (Jeffrey); and his great-nephew, Liam Jewell, and great-niece, Nova Altenbern. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Martha Slater.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to his medical team at the Cancer Clinic in the Bryan–College Station area, and especially to Dr. Erin Fleener, whose compassion, expertise, and encouragement gave Randy the knowledge, strength, and hope to fight for as long as he did.

Under the direction of Hillier of College Station