Dr. David Sloan

Dr. David Sloan, age 71, of Belton, passed away on Sunday April 23, 2017, after a brief stay in hospice care in Temple, TX. Though he had had numerous health issues in recent years, his death from a massive heart attack was unexpected.

David was born on October 19, 1945 in De Queen, AR, to the late Arthur Gilbert Sloan and the late Helen Florence Broyles Sloan. Dad was the youngest of four: the oldest, brother Bob who currently lives in Mammoth, AZ; the second oldest, brother Morris Lynn “Butch” who died in childhood; and the third oldest, sister Bonnie Opal who died in August 2010.

On April 30, 1966, in the middle of a rainstorm of Biblical proportions, after driving through treacherous, flooded, and washed out roads, he finally made it to Lone Star United Methodist Church in Lone Star, TX where he married the former Mary Esther Wallace. The ceremony was officiated by the father of the bride, Paul Wallace.

He is survived by his wife Mary and his children: Lee Wallace Sloan (wife Shannon) of Watauga, TX; Beth Chlapek (husband Josh) of Plano, TX; and James Sloan (girlfriend Charlotte) of Grand Prairie, TX. He was preceded in death by his beloved cat Fergus and dog Glory.

“The Old Goat” has three grandchildren: Ronald David; Emma Rebecca; and Kathryn Sofia.

He grew up in the Jenkins community in Morris County, TX and graduated from Daingerfield High School in 1964. He attended Kilgore Junior College, then transferred and completed his studies at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he earned his bachelors and masters degrees.

In his 46 year career as an educator, he served in Vidor ISD and Clyde ISD in various positions from bus driver to coach to teacher to principal; as the superintendant of Neches ISD; as a graduate assistant at East Texas State University while pursuing his doctorate; and as a professor of education at the University of Mary Hardin Baylor.

Among his proudest accomplishments were: many years of volunteering as a leader with the Boy Scouts of America; in 1982 becoming a certified lay preacher in the United Methodist Church; being named in 2012 as Daingerfield High School Distinguished Alumnus for the class of 1964; and never letting the truth stand in the way of a good story. He held a deep love for genealogy. It was a source of joy and pride for David that in the last three weeks of his life he researched another four generations back on the Broyles line of his mother’s side of the family.

He was a man of high integrity and morals who suffered no fools. His wicked sense of humor would often get him into trouble with Mary, if not others. Because he came from nothing, he had a high degree of compassion for those who also had nothing. He enjoyed helping those who were working to better themselves. Despite his professional accomplishments and successes, he always remained humble to his roots and would tell people he was “just a fifth grade teacher who drove a school bus.”

Family will welcome visitation at Dossman Funeral Home in Belton, TX on Thursday April 27, 2017 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Funeral services will be held at Dossman Funeral Home on Friday April 28, 2017, starting at 2:00 pm with the Rev. Dr. Leroy Kemp officiating. Graveside service will start at 2:00 pm on Saturday April 29, 2017 at Clark Cemetery west of Jenkins, in Morris County, TX.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Meals on Wheels of Bell County, in care of Belton Area Citizens for Seniors, located at 842 Mitchell Street in Belton, TX.