Philip Wendell "Phil" Slayton

Philip Wendell "Phil" Slayton, 77 of Battle Creek died peacefully with family and close friends by his side, on Thursday, June 7, 2018, after a two-year battle with cancer.

Phil was born October 8, 1940 in Battle Creek, Michigan, the son of Philip E. and Pearl (Clements) Slayton. Phil grew up in Battle Creek, graduated from Culver Military Academy in Culver, Indiana, and received his Bachelor's Degree in Advertising from Michigan State University in 1964. He then joined the U. S. Air Force (1966-1970), served in Ankara Turkey and became a Captain and Chief of Internal Information at Stewart Air Force Base, Newburgh, New York. Phil began his career as a realtor for Slayton Realty. When the housing recession began in the 1980's, Phil built a Travel-Adventure film business for which he traveled, produced and presented Travel-Adventure Films nation-wide for over 20 years (learning from noted travel lecturer, Thayer Soule) and was presented as part of the National Geographic Society series. He later worked in Sales, for Spherion Staffing Services, owned by his wife while also running his film and video business.
Phil married Christina Ann "Tina" Rowe on January 8, 1983, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Battle Creek. Surviving are his wife, Tina; two daughters, Jennifer "Tiffany" Slayton of Baltimore, MD, Heather (Jay) Chick of East Leroy, MI; two grandchildren, Jayson Philip Chick, Amanda Christina Chick; several nieces, a nephew, cousins and their families. Phil was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Sally (Slayton) Quillin.

While at Culver, Phil was a member of the Black Horse Brigade and rode in the inaugural parade for President Eisenhower. At Michigan State University, Phil was a member of Psi Upsilon Fraternity and won two letters and a Big Ten Championship in Fencing. During his long tenure as a member of the Rotary Club of Battle Creek, Phil was a Paul Harris Fellow and served two terms as its president. Phil loved canoeing, camping, anything outdoors and traveling to State and National Parks and throughout the world. He loved spending the summer with Tina at their cottage in Maine. Phil was an avid reader and lover of history and science and was always eager to continue learning. Phil will be remembered as a loving husband and father who loved life and spending time with family and friends.

Military honors, committal and inurnment will be held at Ft. Custer National Cemetery at 11:00 AM, Thursday, June 21, 2018, followed by a celebration of Phil's life at Riverside Golf Club from 5:00-8:00 PM Thursday. June 21, 2018.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Rotary Club of Battle Creek through the Battle Creek Community Foundation. Arrangements are by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.