Thomas Jefferson Slade Iii

Thomas Jefferson Slade III KATHLEEN- Thomas Jefferson “Jeff” Slade III, 90, formerly of Thomaston, passed away on Thursday, October 22, 2009. Born in Griffin in 1919 to Ivor Garrick Slade and Thomas Jefferson Slade, Jr., Jeff attended Robert E. Lee Institute where he was active in ROTC. He furthered his education at West Georgia College in Carrollton and the Draughton School of Commerce in Atlanta. He enlisted in the army on February 18, 1941, served in the infantry from 1941-1945, and participated in campaigns in Africa, The Middle East, Sicily, and Italy. He was awarded the Bronze Arrowhead, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Service Medal, the American Theater Service Medal, three Bronze Star Medals, the American Defense Service Medal, and the Purple Heart. After being discharged from the army in 1946, Major Slade returned to his hometown of Thomaston and served as company commander of the Thomaston unit of the National Guard. Mr. Slade joined Thomaston Mills in February 1946 and held various management positions until his retirement as Vice President of Raw Materials and Purchases in 1987. Jeff and his wife Ann lived in Thomaston for fifty years before moving to Kathleen. Mr. Slade was a member of the Perry United Methodist Church and the Howell Cobb Sunday School Class. His memory will forever be treasured by his loving wife of sixty-one years, Ann Slade of Kathleen; daughter and son-in-law, Christy and Jeff George of Perry; grandchildren Ashley McConnell (Brad) of Perry and Keri George of Valdosta; one great- grandson Slade McConnell; brother, James Milton Slade (Madge) of Savannah, and niece Susanne Slade Mock (Billy) of Savannah. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the donor’s favorite charity.