Richard M. Slaughter

Richard M. Slaughter died February 12, 2013. He was born Feb. 4, 1939 to Gladys R. Dyer and John W. Slaughter in Friendship, Ohio.

Mr. Slaughter was known as “Sarge” to his many friends and ran a small cattle ranch near High Springs, Florida. He was a retired 1^st Sergeant, U. S. Army. He served two tours of duty in South Vietnam. He also served as a Drill Sergeant for 8 years. He received many awards including Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct, Vietnam Campaign, and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star, NCO Professional Development, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge and Drill Sergeant Identification Badge.

He was a life member of the VFW Gainesville, Fla., and was a member of the American Legion, Newberry, Fla. He was a Mason and Shriner and a member of both the Scottish and York Rites. He was also a member of the Sojourners. He was a Life Member and Past Master of the High Springs Masonic Lodge #137 and Past President of the Gainesville Shrine Club. Mr. Slaughter received the “Standing Tall Award” for his Dedicated Service to the Shriners Children Hospitals.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 50 years, Rita; sons, Dr. Martin Slaughter of Starke, Fla., and Steven (Dana) Slaughter of Seattle, WA; two grand-children, Jillian (Jared) Smith and Richard (Angela) Slaughter; five great grandchildren, Abegail and Annahlee Smith and Logan, Liberty and Zoey Slaughter all of Texas; two brothers, Ronald Slaughter of Gibsonton, Fla., and John Slaughter of Chiefland, Fla.; brother-in-law Roger Thomas (Pat) Carpenter; sisters-in-law Pauline Carpenter and Eileen E. Sapp all of Mt. Vernon, Ohio.

The viewing was held Feb. 17 from 5-7 p.m. at the Evans-Carter Funeral Home in High Springs. Services were held Feb. 18, 2013 at 2 p.m. at the Forest Grove Baptist Church on NW 94^th Street. Interment followed with full Military Honors at the Forest Meadows West Cemetery on S.R. 241. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children at: Shriners Hospitals for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 or the Florida Masonic Home at 3201 1^st Street NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33704.

Arrangements are under the care of Evans-Carter Funeral Home, 220 N. Main Street, High Springs, FL 32643.