Note: This article has been edited for the web. To see the Obit, purchase the Sept 4 issue.
Local Legend, Jack Slater,
Rides Into the Sunset
Jack Slater went to be with his Lord and Savior. His sunrise was on August 28, 1939, and sunset on August 26, 2020. He passed peacefully with his much-loved wife, Audrey Slater, at this side. Jack was two days short of 81 years old.
Audrey and Jack had a joyous life together in Christ and made their home for nearly 40 years, at the Oak Creek General
Store on Oak Creek Grade in rural Fremont County, Colorado.
Born in Upstate New York to Irish Catholic parents, Jack led an interesting life that included being a bar owner, a railroad engineer and ranch hand. He was married to Karen Rita Fugate from 1961 to 1976; they had three children.
Jack met his wife, Audrey (nee Walczak) Watson, in Buffalo, New York, in 1979, and together with her two sons, which he raised as his own, they moved west to Colorado in 1980.
In Colorado, Jack, worked on the Griffin Ranch (now subdivided.) He and Audrey opened The General Store which became a gathering place for locals. They then opened it as a restaurant with breakfast and lunch and later as an evening restaurant and live music venue. They also opened their barn to host local church services. In the 90s, the Slaters opened a thrift market in Westcliffe on Second Street where everything from pots and pans to old stoves was fifty cents.
Until 2017, the Slaters continued to serve occasional lunches and Saturday morning breakfasts at the General Store featuring Audrey’s homemade baked goods and Jack’s sausage gravy served up with the best of company from a two-county area.
Jack is also credited with forming the first Oak Creek Grade Volunteer Fire Department in approximately 1988 and securing equipment still utilized today.
The Slaters also held bible studies in their home for years, and most recently attended The Cowboy Church at Crossroads in Penrose, Colorado, pastored by Randy Pfaff.
Jack is survived by his wife, Audrey Slater, sons, John Joseph Slater III. of New York and Patrick McGarity Slater of Florida , daughter Bonnie Kathleen Walker of Arkansas (spouse Jerry W. Walker), daughter April Slater of Lancaster, New York, and stepsons Sean Watson of Florida (spouse Kim) and Christopher Watson (spouse Carrie) of Colorado. He has numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 12th, at 10 a.m., with Pastor Randy Pfaff officiating at Sangre de Cristo Cowboy Church, 60260 Hwy. 69 N, Westcliffe, CO 81252.
