Thomas Melvin Slee

Major Thomas Melvin Slee, USAF, peacefully took his last flight towards heaven in January, 2021. Tom was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma, ninety-one years ago. He had a passion for flying and took flying lessons at the local airport, obtaining his pilot's license before he was old enough to drive a car. Tom attended East Central State College in Ada, Oklahoma. During the summers he worked as a firefighter for the US Forest Service, (USFS) in Idaho for two years. Tom joined the Air Force at the onset of the Korean War, earning his pilot's wings with an Air Force commission of 2nd lieutenant at Laredo Air Force Base, then flying F-86 fighter jets in Korea. While in Laredo, Tom met Angie de Luna, and they were married in 1953. Tom named his plane “My Beautiful Angel ” after his lovely bride. They moved to Florida where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology from Florida State University. Tom, Angie, and their children moved to Spain, where Tom was stationed. They subsequently moved back to Laredo, TX. In 1963, Tom was assigned to McChord AFB and the Slee family moved to Lakewood, WA. He went on to serve his country in Vietnam, after which he flew extensively in Alaska. Upon retiring from the Air Force in 1971, Tom bought a fishing trawler that he named “The Angelina” (because he knew Angie wasn’t a fan of the idea). With his sons, Tom and Tony, he fished out of La Push, Washington, for two years. He then got his teaching certificate and taught Mathematics at Pierce College and area junior high and high schools. From 1986 to 1992, Tom worked for the USFS in eastern Washington. When he retired for good, Tom enjoyed fishing, hunting, umpiring Little League baseball and slow pitch softball, rockhounding, reading, traveling, framing art, attending reunions, and watching all kinds of sports, particularly the Mariners. Since 1976, Tom sat behind home plate and generously and loudly shared his expert umpiring and batting tips. Sometimes even the pitchers would get instructions! Tom was a member of the VFW, the Order of Daedalians at McChord AFB, the St. John Bosco Knights of Columbus Council No. 11762, the Lakewood United Organization, the Lakewood Historical Society, the American Lake VA, and the Elks Lodge. He was instrumental in making the City of Lakewood’s Veteran’s Memorial a reality. Tom was so proud of his family. He talked about them all the time to anyone who stood still long enough to listen. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Angelina D. Slee, and six children: Thomas A. Slee (Carmen), Teresa Slee Mayberg (Marc), Anthony A. Slee (Joan), Michael L. Slee (Monica), Robert R. Slee (Zayda), John D. Slee (Heather), 12 grandchildren, and five great- grandchildren. Tom was passionate about genealogy and traveled across the country to Slee family reunions. He had particularly fond memories of growing up in Chickasha. He is preceded by his parents Roy and Delia Slee and survived by his sister, Phyllis Russel (Joe), and nieces Jeanie Remke, Pattie Smith, and Carrie Jo Downs, who all reside in Oklahoma.   Because of the COVID pandemic, a memorial mass for immediate family members only will be celebrated at St. Joseph Church in Seattle on Feb 19 th at 11am. Friends and other family members are encouraged to view a live webcast of the mass on the parish’s YouTube channel; https://www.youtube.com/c/StJosephParishSeattle. It will also remain posted for later viewing. Tom will be laid to rest in the Slee family plot located in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Chickasha, Oklahoma, when conditions are safe.