Woodrow Wilson Slaven's Obituary
SLAVEN, WOODROW W. ‘WOODY’ Born August 1, 1912 in Ft. Smith, AR and passed on July 28, 2008, less than a week from his 96th birthday. Woody was 95 years old when he died at Doctor’s Hospital in East Dallas. He was born the son of Sterling and Tessie Slaven and was one of five children, including sisters Carmen Slaven McCall, Mary Slaven Hays and Betty Slaven Ervin and brother Joe John Slaven. Woody was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Carmen. Woody met first of two wonderful wives, Josie Hays in high school in Van Buren, AR. Josie and Woody were married for almost 50 years before her death in 1987. Josie and Woody are survived by their one child, Richard W. Slaven, who lives in Dallas with his wife, Bettye Dejon Slaven. Woody then married the second wonderful woman in his live, Evelyn Gesford. They were married for over 17 years before her death in 2007. Woody is survived by two special grandchildren, Kelly Slaven-Terstriep and Dan Slaven, and their husband and wife respectively, Michael Terstriep and Jessica Corcoran Slaven. Further, Woody is survived by two great grandchildren, Thomas Schaefer Terstriep and Josie Ray Terstriep. Finally, Woody is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Woody Slaven graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Civil Engineering. He put his expertise to work during this professional career, all spent with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Early in his career a the Corps, Woody joined the U.S. Navy during WWII, spent a year at the Naval Academy receiving special training, and then served aboard an aircraft carrier in the Pacific as a Lieutenant for the remainder of the war. Woody and thus the family spent the bulk of his career in Tulsa, OK, then Dallas, TX. Woody retired from the Corps of Engineers in 1984 at the age of 62. Woody, along with Josie and Evelyn, has always been actively involved in his church and its mission. Woody’s efforts were focused on the First Baptist Church in Tulsa and Lakeside Baptist in Dallas. Woody was a deacon, even the chairman of the board of deacons at Lakeside. Further, Woody was very active in his son’s life via coaching, primarily baseball in Tulsa. However, he was a constant presence at all athletic events in which his son, Rick, participated. This very special guy, teamed with both Josie and Evelyn, has brought a great deal of joy and kindness to so many. He always spoke clearly and often of his faith and of its significance in his life. His life has made a difference in the lives of so many.
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