Francis Sheldon Slade

Francis Sheldon Slade, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on January 24, 2025, in Wellsville, Utah, at the age of 85. Born on June 7, 1939, in Durango, Colorado, to Lovetta Linnea Anderson and Francis Burnham Slade, Sheldon was truly a man of the land. He was a farmer through and through, having earned a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in Animal Science, first owning and operating a dairy farm, then later employed by the LDS church as the manager of the Bloomfield Church Farm.

He was a lifelong learner, and he returned to obtain a teaching certification from Fort Lewis College in 1991. However, it was not just the formal education that defined Sheldon; his true gift was in teaching people how to find space for generosity and inclusion, often using actions rather than words.

Sheldon was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, marrying his darling Donna in the Mesa, AZ temple on June 14, 1963. He served in his church throughout life, including as a bishop and high council member. Even as his heart condition continued to deteriorate and limited his physical activity, he would drive Donna to deliver meals and birthday gifts for the Wellsville 4th Ward Relief Society. His 30-month mission to Sweden, his senior couple’s mission with his sweetheart to Detroit, Michigan, and their calling as ordinance workers in the Albuquerque Temple for over four years, were a testament to his unwavering faith and commitment to service. 

Friends and family alike will miss his daily rituals, whether it was 5 a.m. morning phone calls, reading or sharing the scriptures, singing church songs, sipping hot chocolate, or listening to talk radio. Despite his many talents, he had a unique knack for fixing things with nothing more than duct tape, baling twine, and a bit of creativity, a symbol of his resourcefulness and down-to-earth nature. Known for his welcoming demeanor, he never met a stranger. His smile lit up the room and made everyone feel welcome in his space. Teasing was his love language, and nobody was teased more than his wife, Donna.

Sheldon was active in his community, serving on the Durango District 9-R School Board after winning an election by 1 vote. He was also involved in advocating for the Animas-La Plata project in Southwest Colorado and was selected by the water board to travel to Washington, D.C. to promote the project.

Above all, Sheldon valued the connections he maintained with his family and friends. He cherished writing letters, delighting in the correspondence he received from friends, often sharing these treasured messages with his visiting family members.

Sheldon is survived by his devoted wife, Donna; his children, Kimberly Gillen (Eric), Sheldon Todd Slade (Laura), Nicole Perkins (Decker), Travis Slade, Jared Slade (Amanda), Kärstin Slade (Shelley Brown), Dustin Slade (Chelsea), Jamison Slade, and Courtney Fairbanks (Aaron); his siblings LeGrande Slade, Lowell Slade, and Gloria Decker. He leaves a legacy of 36 great-grandchildren and 33 grandchildren: Jeremy, Jordan, Weston, Trevor, Ashton, Devon, and Seth Gillen; Bric Slade, Sadie Shindelar, Abby Slade; T. Slade, Sloan, Stockton, Skylor, Stellar, Staten and Saylor Perkins; Andrew, Noah, Joshua, Samuel, Leah, Gabriel, and Emma Slade; Cole, Ella and Cora Slade; Georgia and Peter Slade; Jacob, Raelee, Ezra and Clara Fairbanks as well as 36 great-grandchildren.

Preceding Sheldon in death: his son, Wade Patrick Slade; his grandsons, Weston Gillen and Samuel Slade; his great-granddaughter Embery Gillen; his siblings, Christine Gillen, Larry Slade, Rosalie England, Nancy Lovejoy, Brent Slade, Lorraine Thorpe, Elaine Sabin, and Jared Slade; and his infant siblings, George and Rebecca.

A memorial service to honor Sheldon will be held on January 30, 2025, at 6:00 PM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 49 W 200 S, Wellsville, UT. A funeral service will be held on February 1, 2025, at the Bloomfield LDS Stake Center at 902 W Blanco Blvd Bloomfield, NM. The viewing will be at 09:00 a.m., services at 10:30 a.m., and the graveside service in Red Mesa Cemetery, Hesperus, CO, at 2:00 p.m.

As we reflect on Sheldon’s legacy, we are reminded of a life filled with love, laughter, and a heart that endlessly embraced everyone around him. His spirit will continue to inspire kindness and love, reminding all of us to set a larger table.

The Sheldon Slade family would like to acknowledge and thank Canyon Hospice - Tiffany (who he loved to tease), Sebastian, and Zack for going the extra mile to ensure the tender care Sheldon received was of the highest quality 

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests an act of service be given to alleviate someone’s burden in honor of Sheldon’s memory.

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