Jerald Kurt Vanderslice 1936-2019
Jerald Kurt Vanderslice, of Mineola, passed away Oct. 29, 2019 in Tyler. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Mineola. He was born in Dallas on Sept. 23, 1936 to the late Thomas Burt Vanderslice and Christine Gilley Vanderslice.
Kurt graduated from Mineola High School and Texas Tech University majoring in mechanical engineering. He worked for Ford Motor Company in the Dallas and Detroit, Mich. plants before he and his family relocated to Mineola. He purchased and worked in the family lumber business until becoming manager of New Hope Water Supply, retiring in 2014.
Kurt was an active participant in the growth and development of Mineola. He served on the Mineola Main Street board for 10 years. He designed and oversaw the construction of the gazebo that was built in downtown Mineola. He worked many tireless hours at the Mineola Nature Preserve and was involved in the setting of the Dr. John Thomas bridge. In 2008, he was honored by the Mineola Chamber of Commerce and awarded Man of the Year.
Kurt was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Mary Jane Vanderslice; his parents; brother, Thomas Burt Vanderslice, Jr.; and grandson, Austin Stewart.
He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Judy Vanderslice and Tim Moore of Arlington, Karen and Craig Kizer of Mineola and Kristy and Dwight Thomas of Hideaway; four granddaughters; two grandsons; two great-granddaughters; two great-grandsons; and one great-great-grandson.
A private family memorial will be held on Dec 1, 2019, officiated by Dr. Mark Neeley. Donations, in memory of Kurt, may be made to Hospice of East Texas at www.hospiceofeasttexas.org or Mineola Main Street.
