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J.W. (Wayne) Slater

 

 

 

 

Pampa, TX

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Fifty years since the class of 1958 graduated.  Time flies by so fast this doesn’t seem possible, but a lot has happened since ’58 to all of us.  Here is my story.

First, let me say I did not graduate with my fellow classmates of `58 in Pampa; however I have, with pride, always considered myself Pampa High School class of `58. I started with everyone but fell behind my sophomore year because I only wanted to be a cowboy working on the Goodnight Ranch.  This was a short career after I force-fed some green stuff into the mouth of the owner’s son. After 3 years at high school I was unable to catch up so in 1958 I quit and went in the military.  I finished with a GED high school diploma at Biloxi, Mississippi in 1958.

I had a failed marriage that resulted with two girls that have given back two grandchildren, a girl and a boy.  They are very special just like all grandchildren.  I am so proud they are better looking than me.

In 1971 I married Max Griggs' sister, Barbara.  Her husband had been killed in a car accident in 1963, three weeks before their son was born.  Barbara, with her son and daughter, blessed my life with both a good marriage and two kids that to this day still bring sunshine in my life.  They have blessed me with 10 grandkids and 3 great grandkids.  My cup runneth over.  I have been PawPa since I was 40 years old.  Now at age 68 I have lots of experience at spoiling grandkids and sending them home.

I was trained as an electronic technician in the military, and after being discharged I repaired TV’s for Jess Graham, then worked for Halliburton, and finally at Cabot Shops to fix 2-way radios and door openers. I worked myself out of a job in a couple of months and Thad Boadway broke me out as an electrician - a craft I excelled in.  In 1970 I got a job at the Phillips Petroleum Company Borger Refinery for $2.90 an hour.  After two years I got into the electric shop and started school at nights and on weekends. I received my Plant Engineer Diploma in 1981 and was promoted to Electric Shop Supervisor.  I was supervisor over the high voltage system both in plant and overhead lines belonging to Phillips in the Panhandle area. I retired in 1999 at a little more than $2.90 an hour.  I had 29 years and 6 months, but I always say 30 years.

Barbara and I have a motor home and love to go south in the winter.  I took a snow shovel with me and when someone asked "what’s that", then there’s where we spent the winter.  We have taken one 7 month trip and several 4 to 5 month trips.  Our hobbies are grandkids, traveling, crafts, and we play with our computers.  I excel at TV remote control and 10 minute naps.

I am different, I’m kind of great, and I’m still the class of ‘58.