Slitor, James 1941 - 2024

SLITOR, KELLY, HOOKER, LEMASTER, MCELVEEN, KROLL, NICOLETTA, MILLS

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/2/2024 at 09:43:23

James “Jim” Slitor, age 83, of Decorah, IA passed away on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at Wellington Place Nursing Home with his loving wife, Sherry, by his side.

A Memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, March 1, 2024, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E. Water St. in Decorah with Rev. David Severtson officiating.

Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service Friday at the Funeral Home.

Burial will be at the Oakland Cemetery in Waukon at a later date.

Jim was born on Jan.19,1941 in Waukon, the son of Truman G. and Gwen (Kelly) Slitor. Jim graduated from Waukon High School in 1959 and was class president for 2 of those years. He earned his BA degree at U.N.I in 1963. He taught junior high and high school math and science in Waterloo for two years before moving to Florida. Jim was employed for five years at IBM, Boca Raton, FL as a computer programmer. After obtaining a MA from Florida Atlantic University, he became a statistics instructor in F.A.U.’s college of social science where he taught for over 30 years while pursuing his PhD at Florida International University. Additionally, he taught International Relations through the Lifelong Learning Center at F.A.U.

Jim met and married his wife Sheryl Ann Hooker “Sherry” on September 2,1988 in Delray Beach, FL, where they lived until relocating to Decorah in 2005.

Jim was a man of many talents and interests. He especially loved spending time with family and friends. He had a wonderful sense of humor that made him a hit wherever he went. He and Sherry loved traveling. Their favorite trip was to Paris, France, where they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Jim enjoyed reading, jogging on the beach in Florida, playing the piano, public speaking, and working in the yard. He loved animals and had many pets throughout his lifetime. Volunteering was important to him. He advocated for the migrant farm workers in South Florida and for world peace.

Jim is survived by his wife of 35 years, Sherry; sister, Susan (Charles) LeMaster of Charles City; a sister-in- law, Arlene Slitor of Marquette, MI; two nieces, Michelle (Dave) McElveen of Dayton, OH, Sandra (Mark) Kroll of Gaylord, MI; two great-nieces and four great-nephews.

He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Jackie Hooker of Clarksville, IN; Faye Crowe of Brookport, IL; brother-in-law, Jim Hooker (Ruth) of Tarpon Springs, FL; 3 nieces-in-law, Paula Nicolella (Jay) of Triadelphia, WV; Kristina Mills of Jacksonville, FL; Annamarie Hooker of Tarpon Springs, FL; a nephew-in-law, Anthony Hooker (Amanda) of Floyds Knobs, IN; a great-niece-in-law and four nephews-in-law.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Truman Wentworth Slitor. Jim will be missed by his many relatives, friends, and neighbors, but especially by his wife Sherry and his sister Sue. Their world will never be the same without him.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Northeast Iowa Humane Society, the Decorah Community Food Pantry, or a charity of your choice.

Source: Helms Funeral Home database