Donald Duane Slater, age 73, of Kalamazoo Michigan made his transition on April 8, 2021 in his home, of natural causes.
Don worked in several bars in the 1970's and 80's. Among them the Glory Hole on Wells Street.
Along with his long time partner Tom Coughlin, we opened a bar on Irving Park Road and called it Friends Pub. It was a very successful location, located on the way from the suburbs to downtown bars. But due to licensing problems closed after only one year.
He was married to his long time partner Thomas Coughlin by Reverend Joslyn Mason of Unity Church in Kalamazoo Michigan on July 18, 2015. Their marriage was one of the first gay marriages in Michigan to be made legal by the Supreme Court.
Don loved to fish, camp and enjoy the outdoors. He and Tom took their camper to many locations in the Upper Peninsula and Northern Indiana.
In later years Don suffered from eye failure and diabetes. But he was always smiling and enjoyed shopping and of course, watching TV.
A Celebration of Life Service will take place in the parking lot of Unity Church, 1204 Whites Road, Kalamazoo 49008 at a date and time in the near future.
Private Interment will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery immediately following the Memorial Service.
Questions may be directed to Unity Church, 269-993-6088,
or Tom Coughlin thomasdcoughlin@mac.com .
