Major Theodore W. Slauson USAF, RET

Theodore W. Slauson passed away peacefully in his sleep in Citrus Heights California at the age of 87. He was born at home on the family farm in Spring Green, Wisconsin, on November 8, 1933, to Russell and Emily Slauson. He was the eighth of nine children. In 1952, at the age of 17 (with his mother signing for him), Ted began his 20 years of service with the United States Air Force where he ultimately retired at the rank of Major in 1972.

In 1954, he married his sweetheart, Janet Cunningham, Because of his military commitment, the family was able to experience life on the East Coast (Cape Cod, Massachusetts), the Midwest, (Madison, Wisconsin, and Kansas City, Missouri), and the West Coast (Sacramento, California, and Tacoma, Washington). Linda, their first child, was born in Anchorage Alaska. Ultimately, Ted settled the family in Citrus Heights, where they lived for nearly 50 years.  After his retirement from the Air Force, Ted began another government career in civil service with the Sacramento Army Depot and later McClellan Air Force Base, working as a technician repairing portable sheet metal buildings.  After fully retiring in 1987, Ted and Janet traveled extensively, throughout the United States.  But his favorite journeys were his two visits to Marilyn’s family when they moved to Naples, Italy. The first trip he and Janet made, they flew on a military transport” space available” status which he had always wanted to do, and which provided many unexpected experiences. They saw Rota Spain, Sigonella Sicily and Dover Delaware along the way. For their second trip, they used a rail pass and traveled all over Europe and had the trip of a lifetime. It had always been his dream to live overseas.

Retirement also gave Ted the opportunity to start his volunteer “career,” first with the San Juan High School Booster Club in many different roles—the most memorable being as a bingo caller for their Wednesday night bingo. Following that, he delivered free newspapers to area businesses for a time. But his most fulfilling volunteer role was with Sacramento Senior Nutrition Services (Serve Our Seniors) where he delivered meals to homebound seniors for nearly 20 years.

Ted was an avid collector of American Flyer trains and he had an expansive collection of which he was very proud. Ted loved sports, was an avid golfer, and softball player with Golden Seniors. In later years, he found pleasure in his weekly bridge foursome. Everyone who knows Ted knows that he was a lifelong diehard Chicago Cubs fan. Ted’s 83 years of patience was finally rewarded when they took home the World Series Pennant in 2016.

Everyone who met Ted had at least one story of a memorable time spent with him, including plenty of laughs. Ted was a member the Train Collector’s association for over 50 years, Sons In Retirement for 35 years, and a lifetime member of the Sons of the American Revolution.  We are thankful for his love of his family, and dedication to chronicling via video camera of family functions and life events which have now become precious keepsakes. Ted’s wife of nearly 67 years, Janet, passed away one week after his death. He is survived by his daughter Marilyn (Stephan), sons Gary (Jill), Robert (Sandra), Daniel (Joseph), Ted (Carlos), and his daughter-in-law, Janet. Ted was a proud grandfather to Matthew (Christian), Alex (Shawn), Lizzie, Andrew (Lindsey), Leslie, Nicholas, Valerie (John), Eli (Jamie), Molly, Cloey (Travis), and Henry. He was Great Grandfather to Connor, Noah, Hunter, Owen, Sidney, Logan and Pemberley. Ted is also survived by his sister, Edith, sister-in-law, Bernice, numerous nieces and nephews and extended families. He was predeceased by four brothers, three sisters, his daughter, Linda, son-in-law, Tad, daughter-in-law, Amy, and grandchild, Joshua.

A service is scheduled to be held at Roselawn Memorial Park in Monona, Wisconsin, on April 7, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. A celebration of life will be held in Arbuckle, California, on May 8, 2021, their 67th wedding anniversary (email dwslauson@gmail.com for details). In lieu of flowers, donations in Ted’s memory may be made to the San Juan High School Booster Club, Sacramento area Serve Our Seniors, Fair Oaks Theatre Festival or the charity of your choice.

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