Lawrence Joseph Slamons, 79, of Fayetteville died January 12, 2016 at his home with his family by his side. He was born September 20, 1936 in Meriden, CT. to Lawrence and Minnie Slamons.
He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fayetteville. Lawrence retired from the University of Arkansas after 35 years as their Director of Public Safety. He was instrumental in changing the Campus Security to the Campus Police Department. He also helped start the Police School in Northwest Arkansas. In 2008 he received the Martin Luther King Lifetime Achievement Award from the Northwest Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr Planning Committee. He also received several other awards from the University of Arkansas. He was a proud Army Veteran serving during the Korean Conflict.
He is survived by his wife, Bernadette Kuczynski Slamons of the home; two sons, John Slamons and wife, LeaAnn of Kansas, OK. and Joseph Slamons and wife, Corinna of Murrieta, CA.; daughters, Anne Minton and husband, Mark of Fayetteville, AR., Meme Toney and husband, George of Appleton, WI. and Nicole Stringer and husband, John of Omaha, NE.; 13 grandchildren; one great- grandchild; and sister-in-law Carol Kuczynski of Elgin, IL.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday, January 16, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fayetteville with Father Jason Tyler officiating. Private burial will be in Fairview Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will be Friday from 5- 6 P.M. with the rosary beginning at 6 P.M. at Beard’s Funeral Chapel.
Memorials may be directed to Washington Regional Hospice or the M&N Foundation.
I had the honor of serving under two great bosses during my career, Mr. Slamons was one of them. What a blessing and education it was to end my career in campus policing and under his command. Good man, good boss, and good friend, he will be missed.
Nicole, John and boys,
Our hearts ache for you at this time. We are praying daily for you to find peace and comfort with your dads precious memories/bonds that you shared. Know us and the ENDOW group and friends are praying for you. It sounds like he was a great guy, great dad. I am so sorry.
I became acquainted with Larry in 1976, now 40 years ago, as we worked together and bounced ideas off of each other at The University of Arkansas. I grew to love and appreciate him as a leader, comrade, and a friend. He was a good man with a caring heart. My sincere condolences to the family, he will indeed be missed.
I worked at UAPD from 1980-1983. I remember Larry as a wonderful leader and a man with a good sense of humor. We had a friendship away from the department as well that was based on our mutual love for the game of golf. My deepest condolences to his surviving family. May he forever rest in peace!
Director Slamons hired me as a police officer in 2000 and over the next several years, provided me with invaluable advice that ultimately changed the course of my career. He was an intelligent, humble and visionary leader and I will forever be grateful for his guidance. May he rest in peace and Courtney and I are truly sorry for your loss.
I knew Larry for many years in the 80’s and 90’s as a fellow chief and member of the AACP. I admired him a great deal and he was always there for me when I needed advise and counsel. I appreciated his calm manner and positive outlook. He was a credit to law enforcement and a great leader in our field. Rest easy my friend, job well done.
Bernie,
You and your family are in my thought and prayers. I am so sorry for your loss.
Was so very sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Slamons. He was the first director I worked under at UAPD and the U of A. Some of my fondest work memories took place during that time. The last time I saw him he came to my retirement reception at the Transit and Parking Department along with the two other directors I had worked under for the 35 years I was that. I deeply appreciated the fact that he took the time to do that. My thoughts and prayers for his family and friends, he will be missed by many.
Bernadette and Children,
Larry was an always the professional law enforcement officer that did the “right” thing, even if not popular with others. I am so saddened by his death and very sorry that Nancy and I are out of town for his services. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Kim and Nancy Smith
I am so sorry for your loss. Larry helped me in so many ways in and out of Law Enforcement. I was fortunate to have had the great opportunity to work for him.
I was so sorry to hear about Larry’s passing. Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss.
In the 1980s and 90s, while Undergraduate Students at the University of Arkansas, my fraternity brothers of Sigma Tau Gamma and I were honored and blessed to have Larry Slamons serve as an advisor and counselor to us. This was no small challenge — his having to help police us as well as the entire University campus. Sir, we salute and thank you, and offer our sincerest condolences to LeAnn, John, Joseph, Anne, Meme, Nicole.
Very Respectfully,
Dale Mark Benedict
BA ’85, MA ’92
US Army (Retired)
Bernadette & Family- We are so sorry for your loss,may God comfort & give you peace at this
most difficult time. We are praying for all of you. We have many memories of all the wonderful
times watching you all grow up around the corner.
Wayne,Sandy & Family
Bernadette,
Karen and I are very blessed of God to have met both you and Larry. As many others have, I learned a lot from Larry as my direct supervisor and as a friend. The two of you welcomed us into your lives, home and the University of Arkansas. He helped me in many ways, in all of what he taught me in our short time in Arkansas. You and your family are in our prayers for a peace that passes all understanding in knowing Larry is at home with his Heavenly Father.
I knew Larry before I came to work at UAPD – we fondly called him the “Slamonator” on the golf course. Larry will always be remembered for his humor and his leadership and I am lucky to have known him. He will be missed by many and left a great legacy at the University of Arkansas. My deepest condolence to his family and all those he leaves behind.
Larry was always totally professional — but at the same time had a heart a big as all outdoors. Under his leadership, the University Security Office developed from a college security agency to a nationally accredited Police Department. It was a privilege for me to be a part of this process, and in so doing to grow professionally and personally myself. You cannot ever be replaced — but you will be missed!
Nicole, John and family,
We want to pass along our deepest sympathies to you and your family. We are so sorry for your loss. It is so hard to say goodbye but we pray that God’s grace will give you strength and see you through this difficult time. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Larry demonstrated his confidence in me by choosing me to become the first armed police officer on the U of A campus. Under his administration, I became Criminal Investigator for the University of Arkansas. Mr. Slammins was a kind, progressive and tough individual, professional and human being. At the end of my more than 30 years in the military, law enforcement, and corrections, Larry Slammons had the most influence on my developing the values and ethics that were essential for my attaining success in the criminal justice system.
He is missed.
Semon Frank Thompson
Thank you for your service. Our dad is definitely missed. He poured his heart and soul into the UAPD, and all of his officers were chosen with the confidence that they would continue to the work he believed in – in some capacity or another. Mission accomplished. We appreciate your words. 🙏🏻
You my dear friend have been in Heaven for some time now
and for all eternity. We met as neighbors in 1945. WW II had just
ended in August with the Japanese surrender. My Dad was a
Foreman in a local defense plant and saved his money so
that he bought our home on 33 Catlin Street Meriden, Ct.
across the lot facing your home.
We met playing baseball in the lot and became fast friends.
You a Yankee fan with Joe DiMaggio and me a Red Sox fan with Ted Williams
We remained friends until you were reunited with
Almighty God! Until we meet again! Charlie Nellis