Ryan Stewart Slater

Ryan Stewart Slater, 41, of Gypsum, Colorado, took his last breath at 4:52 a.m. on August 26, 2024, with family by his side. Ryan was born on November 18, 1982, to Randy and Marla (Gilley) Slater in San Luis Obispo, California. Born with a platelet disorder, his mother recalls that from the moment of his birth Ryan has fought hard to survive and continued to do so until his passing. 

Ryan had a passion for wood working and was a skilled craftsman who could build anything from birdhouses to kitchen cabinets. He enjoyed the outdoors and spent most of his free time surrounded by nature in the mountains of Colorado. Many times you could find him on the trail for Sasquatch as he was an avid enthusiast. When he wasn't chasing Sasquatch, he enjoyed skateboarding and practicing his tattooing skills. Ryan loved to make people laugh and could entertain a crowd with his witty charm and charismatic personality. Ryan loved hard and would give anyone the shirt off his back. From coast to coast, he touched the lives of all those who came to know him. 

Ryan is survived by his wife Samantha; his children Tyrel McDaniel, Matthew (Kylie) Wilson, Zayden Slater, McKenzie Slater, and two children that he loved as his own; his parents; two beloved sisters, Jacobi (Brent) Leavitt  and Morgan Valencia; maternal grandmother, Nettie Reynolds and paternal grandfather, Donald Slater; aunts, uncles, three nieces, one nephew, cousins, numerous lifelong friends, and a grandson, Waylon Joe Wilson, that he was ecstatic about is expected to arrive around Christmas. 

He is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Ted Reynolds, paternal grandmother, Jackie Slater and a cherished uncle, James “Jim” Parmenter. 

Per Ryan’s wishes, he will be cremated and a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

To quote one of Ryan’s favorite artists, Haystak:

“Sail on across the sky, I soldier up and dry my eyes

I wish that I had got to hold you,

But I’m just glad that I got to know you.”

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