October 26, 2016
Page 13
Obituaries
Jefferson Athlete Remembered
Gary Allen Ladd Sr., a basketball leg-
end from Jefferson High School’s Class
of 1968, died on Oct. 12, 2016 in Seattle
as God called him to be one of his Disci-
ples in Heaven.
Also known as Niam Aziz, Ladd was
born Feb. 13, 1950 in Commerce, Texas
to Virgene Roberts and Billy Ladd Sr.
His family left Texas and moved to
Portland at an early age where he attend-
ed grade school and high school. He was
an outstanding student athlete, known
for leaping and jumping out of the gym.
It was during his time at Jefferson that he
met his soulmate and best friend, Gloria
Jean Johnson. As he became a basket-
ball phenom, she cheered him on as a
Jefferson cheerleader. He was recruited
to play basketball by multiple Division
I colleges. Arizona State University had
offered a full ride, but Seattle Universi-
ty had the offer of a lifetime by giving
him a lifetime scholarship and a partial
scholarship for his fiancée, Gloria, who
had aspirations of becoming a school
teacher. Gary took the offer and the cou-
ple moved to Seattle. They started their
family in 1968 and on March 31, 1969,
they were married.
Gary loved to have fun in life. His
joy was watching his children grow into
adults and being around his 18 grand-
children and three great grandkids. They
adored their “Big Daddy!” Everywhere
Gary went, he would strike up a conver-
sation, flash his smile and leave his posi-
tive energy. He was an ultimate optimist
and a good friend to many. He worked as
an instructional assistant substitute with
Seattle Public Schools until his death. He
Gary Ladd
was a beaming light and spread joy in the
schools.
He was a remarkable leader who
touched lives from the basketball court, to
the barbershop, and on to the pulpit. He
opened Gary Ladd’s Studio 620 Hair Sa-
lon in 1979, where he continued impact-
ing lives from the barber chair. He later
became an ordained minister, spreading
the word of self love. He believed in
spiritual empowerment and preached it
everywhere he went. He touched lives at
a monumental level. Everyone loved his
energy, his spirit and his smile. He was
In Loving Memory
Ronald D. Slider
Ronald D. Slider, our honorable father, husband, son, brother, and
man of God, died Oct. 11, 2016.
He was born Aug. 3, 1950 in Portland to
Leon Charles Sr. and Marjorie Lee Slider.
He attended Humboldt and Boise elementa-
ry schools and enjoyed playing Little League
baseball and had many friends in his youth.
He worked for Pacific Power & Light Com-
pany and retired in 2012 as a line equipment
operator after 44 years of service. He married
Sandra in 1975, a union which celebrated 41
years of marriage.
He had four children: Felicia, Andre, Jermaine, and Latausha. He
received Christ in his life and began serving the Lord. He was a deacon
at Greater Solid Rock Church of God Christ.
He will be deeply missed by his family.
He leaves to cherish his loving memories, his wife Sandra; children,
Felicia Slider, Andre Pennington Sr., Jermaine Slider, and Latausha
Slider (Kyrus); brother Leon Charles Jr. (Dolly); brother in law, Gerald
Menefee; sister in law, Patricia Menefee; grandchildren Adrian Pen-
nington, Joquan Pennington, Andre Pennington Jr., and Olivia Slid-
er; 11 great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and
friends who will never forget him. He was preceded in death by his
mother and father.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Oct. 27 at 11 a.m. at Em-
manuel Church, 1033 N. Sumner St. A public viewing will be held the
evening prior, on Wednesday, Oct. 26 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Terry
Family Funeral Home, 2337 N. Williams Ave.
a phenomenal father and husband who
cherished family. He loved basketball
and so did his children and grandchil-
dren. His offspring has played at Raini-
er Beach High School and at the college
level from Washington State University,
Central Washington University to San
Jose State. He always had a new idea or
a new venture that he would be excited
to talk about. He was funny and always
enjoyed a good conversation, especially
a religious debate. There are few men
who can impact the lives of so many like
Gary Ladd. He has left a lasting, lifelong
impression on his family, community and
friends. His kind words and love will be
truly missed by everyone who knew him.
Gary was preceded in death by his
mother and father. Survivors include
his siblings Billy Eugene Ladd, Sheila
Barber, Vernon Ladd (Beverly), Kim-
berly Ladd, Pamela Ladd, Vickie Ladd
and Ronnie Ray Ladd; children Dinah
Jean Ladd, Gariane Lavette Ladd-Davis
(Glenn), Mychal Ahzunique Ladd, Gary
Allen Jr., (Shandra), Gabriel Ahmad Ladd
(Kiaira), Keenan Allen Ladd and Gimari
Alieke Ladd-Jones (Champlin); grand-
children Najee Ladd-Ali, Asia Ali, Samari
Ali, Aliyah Davis, Ahmad Davis, Jamir
Davis, Mychal Ladd, Khadijah Ladd,
Myzhunique Ladd, Naim Ladd, Nyjah
Ladd, Kavay Miller-Ladd, Imani Ladd,
Gabriel Ladd, Kapri Ladd, Kaiya Jones
and Champlin Jones III; and great grand-
children Lauren Ladd, Kyrie Ladd and
Mylah Brown
A memorial services was held on Sat-
urday at River of Life Fellowship in Kent,
Wash.
In Loving
Memory
William F. Johnson
William F. Johnson, a Vietnam vet-
eran, also known as “Heavy,” died Oct.
15, 2016 at his home in Portland. He was
born Oct. 17, 1952 in Kansas City, Mo.
Services will be held Friday, Oct. 28
at 11 a.m. at the Moore Street Salvation
Army, 5325 N. Williams Ave. Viewing
will be held Thursday, Oct. 27 from noon
to 5 p.m. at Rose City Funeral Home,
5625 N.E. Fremont St.
William and Ruby were married in
Portland in 2005. However they had been
together for 32 years.
Besides his wife, he leaves behind five
children, William Jr. of Kansas, Moeshie
of California, and Jeannie, Donta and La-
Nae of Portland; many grandchildren; a
great grandson; and several nieces, neph-
ews and cousins.