Biography
Edward Avalo, son of Mary (Hergerhan) and Avalo Slater, was born on June 9, 1933 in Baltimore, Maryland. He passed away suddenly at his home on July 19, 2010 at the age of 77 years and 20 days.
He attended the Baltimore School System and then joined the United States Army. After his discharge the young man from the East Coast had a strong desire to head west to the land of horses, cattle and friendly people.
He used his G.I. Bill to fund his education at Oklahoma State University, where he graduated in May of 1960 with a Bachelors degree in Animal Husbandry. While in college he was in the Naval ROTC.
On May 28, 1959 in Waynoka, Oklahoma he was married to Carlene Boggs. To their marriage three children, Deborah, Donna, and Lee, were born.
He became a livestock inspector with the United States Department of Agriculture animal health department. The USDA sent him to the Oklahoma Panhandle to help with the eradication of the cattle disease Brucellosis. He tested herds there for two and a half years. He settled on the farm east of Hopeton and continued the testing at farms and ranches in NW Oklahoma making friends and acquaintances along the way.
Mike and his family enjoyed many years of activity in the 4-H program. He volunteered for the dog and horse projects.
In April of 1995 he retired from the USDA. He spent most of his retirement traveling. He was a member of the Santa Fe Trail Historical Association where he served on the Board of Directors. Mike was also a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church; active in the Knights of Columbus for over fifty years and served as Grand Knight.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Mike is survived by his children, Deborah of Oklahoma City, Donna of Stillwater and Lee of Tulsa; two grandchildren Summer Doty of Stillwater and Joshua Slater of Tulsa; two great grandchildren, Presley and Preston Doty of Stillwater; a sister Gloria Ann Pruitt of Baltimore, Maryland; a brother and his wife, Kenneth and Faye of Baltimore, Maryland; a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial
Thursday
July 29, 2010, 10:30 A.M.
at
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
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