James H. Slater, age 76, of Elgin, passed away peacefully at Presence St. Joseph with his family at his side on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. He is survived by his son's; Thomas (Traci) Slater, James C. (Amber) Slater, daughter; Nina (Andy) Cenkush, sister; Barbara (Ron) Fessler, grand-children; Matthew, Kayla and James T. Slater, Tristan and Ryenne Balmer, Edward Cenkush, one nephew, four nieces and many great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; Harvey and Mary Slater. Jim was born July 30, 1941 in Chicago, IL. He attended parks College of St. Louis University and studied aircraft maintenance. Jim was a manager at Hinsdale Camera Center for 16 years and worked with National Metal Fabricators in Elk Grove Village for 25 years, retiring in 2008. Jim also worked with GAT Guns in East Dundee for 19 years, retiring only one month before his death. He was a dedicated employee and refused to leave work even as his health declined. Jim served in the United States Army from 1963-1967 during the Vietnam war. He was stationed in the Philippines and then Saigon, Vietnam. He worked with Army Security Agency and had Top Secret Cryptographic security clearance…this was all he could share with us due to it being classified information. After Vietnam he was stationed in Texas and then finished his service in Ft. Devens, MA., where he was a member of the Ft. Devens Army Flying Club. Jim was an avid photographer for many years, a member of the Elgin Area Camera Club and also served as President for 6 years. He was a member of American Legion Post 57 in Elgin, receiving a 15 years membership pin. He enjoyed being a pilot in his younger years, had an interest in model airplanes, listened to classical music and enjoyed astronomy and shooting sports. Most of all he loved and enjoyed spending time with his family. Visitation for James will be Friday, May 11, 2018 from 10:00 AM until the time of his funeral service at 1:00 PM with Pastor Carol Currier-Frighetto at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, Manhattan. Interment immediately following service with full military honors will take place at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim's name to www.honorflight.org would be greatly appreciated. Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St., Manhattan, IL 60442, 815-478-3321, www.forsythegouldfh.com