Derryl Micheal Slaughter

A bad day fishing is still better than a good day at work! Derryl Micheal Slaughter, 67, went to join his parents and brother to be with the Lord on April 12, 2020.  He died of heart complications. 

Derryl was strong and firm, yet kind and gentle with a passion for fishing, grilling, and riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle. Not necessarily in that order.  We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Derryl in his 67 years.  Everything from baiting a hook and shooting a rifle, to preparing a mean shrimp boil and how to sleep on the back of a boat and still catch fish.  He enjoyed talking and sharing with others and always had words of wisdom, or a story to share. Stories about fishing, grilling, gardening, operating a crane or his famous shrimp boils.  One of his pearls of wisdom was “always listen to your gut”.

Derryl was born in Jonesboro, LA to Lonnie B. Slaughter and Camilla Opal Wyatt and was the oldest of four siblings.  He was married to Cheryle Fragale Powell for 28 years. He attended Jonesboro-Hodge High School.  After high school, he enlisted in the Air Force and was a heavy equipment operator.  After serving in the Air Force, Derryl was an over-the-road truck driver followed by a line equipment operator for prominent Denver electrical contractors, PAR Electric and Sturgeon Electric.  Derryl ended his career as a certified NCCCO crane operator working on high profile projects such as Denver International Airport and the I-70 expansion project.  It’s been said that “he sure can make those cranes dance!”. 

He is survived by his wife Cheryl Slaughter; sons Lonnie “Mike” Slaughter (Nancy) and Jeff Slaughter (Della); Stepchildren Fabius Fragale (Jennifer), Carrie Burns (Andy) and Jennifer Fragale; brother Dean Slaughter (Teresa); sister Paula Slaughter; sister in-law Aline Slaughter; grandchildren Zachari Fragale, Rebecca Slaughter, Shaelina Fragale, Peyton Balsbaugh, Deaven Burns, Kyle Slaughter, Jeff Jr. “JJ” Slaughter, Shelby Maher, Gavin Burns; great grandson Urijah.

Arrangements:  Celebration of Life will be held later this year at a date and location TBD.

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