Dennis “Clay” Slates was born in Wichita, Kansas on March 30, 1944 to parents Lester Carl Slates (1914-2005) and Zella May Slates (1914-1995). Darlene Leona Frederick was also born in Wichita. Kansas on November 2, 1947 to parents Floyd Frederick and Violet Maylee Frederick. The fathers of both Clay and Darlene served in the military during World War II. Lester Slates was forced into the military, where he served in the Navy. Floyd, on the other hand, willingly served for the Army and was injured in battle. Darlene and Clay Slates were married on September 12, 1962.They had four children together, Dennis Slates Jr., (1963-2011), Robin Slates, Terrie Slates Wilson, and my mom, Jamie Kay Slates Permenter. Clay has suffered strokes in the most recent 5 years of his life, causing him to struggle with walking. Darlene, on the other…show more content… What little that is known, is known about her death and her children. Florence had three children with Denver: Julie, Kevin, and Eddie. In 1966, Florence was reported missing by her husband, who had her legally presumed dead 7 years later so that he could marry a lady named Claire. It wasn’t until 1980 that anyone learned of the happenings of Florence. The day she went missing in 1966, she and Denver had been fighting. Denver got very angry and smacked her across the face. The force was so hard she fell into a coffee table, dying on impact. Denver didn’t know what to do, so he buried his wife under a rose bush and made the back yard off limits to his three children. It wasn’t until 1980, when Denver finally admitted what had happened, that Florence’s body was found. He was convicted and sentenced to five years in Toronto, Kansas jail, but got paroled after three due to good behavior. It is unknown to my family where Florence is now buried, and my father has no memory or memorabilia of his mother. Denver died of cancer in 1994 at 68 years
