Dr. Freeman Slaughter

Obituary: KANNAPOLIS--- Dr. Freeman Cluff Slaughter, 87, died December 23, 2013, after a brief illness. Born in Estes, MS, on December 30, 1926, he was the son of the late William Cluff and Vay Fox Slaughter. His family moved to Kannapolis in 1935. Dr. Slaughter attended Wake Forest University and was graduated from Emory University School of Dentistry. He practiced Dentistry in Kannapolis for 38 years and retired in 1989. During World War II, Slaughter served in the Navy as QM2C assistant navigator of the USS Xenia (AKA-51) and co-navigator of the USS General G. O. Squier (AP-130). Slaughter was active in many dental and civic endeavors at the local, state, and national levels. He served on the NC State Board of Dental Examiners for 9 years (as both President and Board Secretary), as Vice President of the Southern Conference of Dental Deans and Examiners, and as Vice President of the American Association of Dental Examiners. Locally he was Chief of the Dental Staff at Cabarrus Memorial Hospital (now Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast), was Acting Health Director of the Cabarrus County Health Department, and served on the Cabarrus County Board of Health for 6 years. He wrote and successfully sponsored a bill that was presented to the NC General Assembly to permit community colleges to teach dental hygiene. Also, Slaughter served as Advisor to the Dental Assisting Program at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. Locally, Slaughter served as Vice Chairman of the Kannapolis Charter Commission, which led to the incorporation of Kannapolis. He was first Mayor Pro Tem of Kannapolis. A longtime member of First Baptist Church, Slaughter taught Sunday School and was the church's Boy Scout Institutional Representative. As a youth he was awarded the Eagle Scout rank, starting a tradition that includes both of his sons and continues with his grandsons. He was active with Kannapolis Toastmasters and Jaycees, and held offices with the NC Dental Society, NC Dental Society of Anesthesiology, Southeastern Academy of Prosthodontics, Southern Academy of Oral Surgery, American Society of Dentistry for Children, International Association of Dental Research, and the NC Association of Professions. He served as Trustee of the NC Symphony Society and was a Mason and Shriner. Among the honors bestowed on Dr. Slaughter are the 1975 Dentist Citizen Award from the American Association of Dental Examiners and the 2006 Emory University Distinguished Dental Alumnus Award. Slaughter was a Fellow in the American College of Dentists. He received a 1980 Recognition Plaque from the Southern Conference of Dental Deans and Examiners, and a 1975 Commendation from the NC Dental Society. In 1982 he received the Kannapolis Citizen of the Year Award. Slaughter was predeceased earlier this year by his wife of 65 years, Genevieve Parks Slaughter. Survivors include his daughter Anne Chern (Cyril) of California, and sons Dr. Thomas Freeman Slaughter (Janie) of Winston Salem, and Mr. James H. Slaughter (Tamara) of Greensboro. Grandchildren are Freeman J. Slaughter, McKinley Slaughter, and Wyatt Slaughter, all of Greensboro. Funeral services will be held at Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel, Kannapolis, on Friday, December 27. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Cabarrus CARES Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 1936, Concord, NC 28026.
Visitation: -----------

Service: Friday, December 27, 2013 Whitley's Funeral Home Kannapolis, NC

Interment: Carolina Memorial Park