Fallen Hero: CMSgt (Ret) Thomas E. (Gene) Slade

Vancleave, MS

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Funeral Home

Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home - 15th Street

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Obituary

Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero have been released from duty, passed from our ranks on December 11, 2020 and moved on to his heavenly home.  CMSgt (Ret) Thomas E. (Gene) Slade, age 88, a retired member of the MS Air National Guard who had served within the 173d CES, Gulfport has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.

It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country giving up their family time, comfort and safety for their country ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life.  We now applaud you for your service to our country.  A special message from General Douglas McArthur still remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed:  “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.

Rest in Peace Airman.  We applaud your patriotism and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service.  We thank you for your service.   Without your efforts and your families’ support, this country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright and live so free.

You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done.  Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.

CMSGT Thomas Eugene “Gene” Slade, (USAF, MSANG Ret), 88, of Vancleave, passed away peacefully at home, December 11, 2020.

Gene was born May 17, 1932 in Lamar County, MS, to William A. and Ava Slade. He graduated from Forrest County Agricultural High and enlisted in the USAF in 1952 during the Korean Conflict, but his unit was sent to Germany to support the end of the Berlin Air Lift from WWII. Gene faithfully served his Country for 39 years, 9 months and 24 days thru the U.S. Air Force and 173rd Mississippi Air National Guard Unit, Gulfport, MS. Upon leaving the USAF, he worked Civil Service at Keesler Air Force Base until 1968. He then worked at International Paper Mill, Moss Point, MS until 1972 when he began working at Ingalls Shipbuilding where he retired after 22 as a supervisor in the material dept. Gene was a past Master of Ezel, Masonic Lodge #426, Vancleave, MS and a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite and York Rite Mason. He was also a member of Joppa Shriners, Biloxi, MS.

Gene is preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Myrtle Slade; infant son, Thomas Lamar; son, Thomas E “Tom” Slade; parents, The Rev. W.A. and Ava Slade; brother, Walter F. “Bud” Slade; and sisters, Bennie Lawler, Donnie Smith and Bonnie Murphy.
Gene is survived by his daughter, LaGina (Rob) Landstreet; grandsons, Curtis R. “Rob” (Tammy) Landstreet and Chase “CT” Landstreet; adopted grandsons, Jordan (Marie) Landstreet, Logan Landstreet, and Malachi Slade; granddaughter, Olivia Slade; daughter-in-law, Gladys Slade; great-granddaughter, Huntleigh Saige Landstreet; and adopted great-grandson, Jayden Landstreet, all of Vancleave, MS; and special buddy, Albert Landstreet. He is also survived by his brothers, Billy (Vergie) Slade, Hamilton, MS and Dwight (Lou) Slade, McHenry, MS; sister, Bobbie Slade Duncan of Purvis, MS; and a host of nieces and nephews. He will be tremendously missed by his special fur grandbabies, Cookie, Peanut, Maggie, Lydia, Ranger and Sugar Bear.

A memorial service will be held at the Vancleave Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Saturday, December 19, 2020. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. followed by a service at 11:00 a.m. with Military honors and Masonic Rites. No graveside services will be held.

The family would like to extend many thanks to S.R.H.S Hospice of Light for the care given to Gene over the last 20 months. Special thanks and blessings to Shonda Matthews, C.N.A., Natasha Owen, RN and Mollie Reeves, RN.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Jackson County Animal Shelter on Audubon Drive, Gautier, MS, the Shriners’ Children’s Hospitals, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.