James Melvin SLOAN

                   1950's Residence: 1304 E Washington St.; New Castle, PA

1950's Residence: 1304 E Washington St.; New Castle, PA
                  

                   RELATIONSHIP: George Douglas Sloan is a 1st cousin to Thelma Gruber Gold. Marsha Gold Allen has visited with him and received information from him in:    1) June 1977 in Penn. and in correspondance many times afterwards;  2) April 1987 in Phoenix, AZ and in correspondance afterwards;  3) March 1991 in El Paso, TX and in correspondance afterwards.

RESIDENCES in TEXAS:  1) 1977: 2515 Morehead #2, El Paso, TX  79930;     1983: 2526 Nashville, El Paso, TX  79930;     1990: 1831 Murchison #356, El Paso, TX  79902

BIOGRAPHY: 1917-Born in Binghamton.  His father had job there for 12-13 years. 1927-Started piano lessons at age 10.  Miss Grandy was his teacher and she would come to their home.  Cost was 75 cents a lesson.  While young, he watched the new organ being installed in their church in Binghampton. One time he sneaked in and played the only piece he knew, "Parade of the Wooden Soldier".  He thought he had closed the organ up the right way. The next Sunday, the organist asked him how he liked playing the organ. Doug wondered how she knew.  Later she told him that he had left his music there  He came
back while a college student, for a visit.  She asked him if he still wanted to play the organ.  He sat down and played "Bach" beautifully.

1929: His parents moved to Parkers Landing.  His dad had retired at age 55, because the job with Standard Oil of New Jersey had closed down.  He had maintained the pipline for the oil to New Jersey. DOUG started 6th grade in Parkers Landing, and it was very hard for him to adjust to a one-room school. He missed the big school in NY with the variety of classes offered and available to him.

1936- Doug Graduated from Parker High School. Then attended Westminister Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey.  He always wanted to play the organ.  This was a church music school with classes of music, church, dealing with people, etc.

1938-39 - He spent his Junior Yr at Hamilton Square, New Jersey. This was like student teaching.  It was his student church.  His duties were to play the organ and teach the Friday night Choir Rehersals; then on Saturday, teach organ lessons and voice lessons; then on Sunday, play the organ for 2 services and lead and play for the choir.  The church would pay 1/2 of his tuition to the college.

1939-40 - His Senior year was at St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church in Philadelphia, and this was his student church.  (The Grubers thought he had finally made the right decision to attend a Lutheran Church.)  Same responsibilities, choir, lessons, etc.  The church paid 1/2 of his college tuition.  The trip to Phila. from Princeton, New Jersey, was 50 miles.  He would travel on the elevated train, then subway, then elevated train, to get there.

Summer between Jr and Sr yrs was spent at a church in Western Virginia.
1940-  Graduated from Westminister Choir College.
1940-42  Moved to Paducah, Kentucky.  (It was the home of Irwin Cobb, the war correspondant.)   He lived in a boarding house.  He met Florence when she came as the new Educational Director at their church.  It was his duty to welcome her, and he hardly said anything.  Later he got her in the same rooming house.  Her room was next to stairs, they always talked and knew each others comings and goings.

1942-  Doug went to El Dorado, Arkansas to work at the First Methodist Church. Florence went to Louisville, Kentucky to a Baptist school, for more education.  She already had a Master's in Christian Education.  Doug worried about her attending a Baptist school, and all the other single men there.  He wrote, called and courted, and then went in person to propose marriage. Florence's parents lived in Jackson, Tennessee.

1943-  Aug 6th they were married in Jackson, by Doug's brother, Harold Sloan, a minister.  They continued living in El Dorado, Arkansas.  His duties included:  5 choirs and he was director and organist; and he gave voice lessons and organ lessons.  Choirs were: Cherubs 5-8 yr olds;  Jr Boys Choir 9-12 yr olds;  Jr Girls Choir 9-12 yr olds;  High School mixed Choir; Adult mixed choir.  He was never paid in cash but received gifts.

1947-  Moved to El Paso, Texas, to become Minister of Music at the Trinty Methodist Church, at Mesa and Yanell roads.  Doug and Florence lived in the Coronado area, at 1100 Montana St.

Dec 1949 they adopted Carol and in 1951 Melvin was born.

1958-  They moved to Fresno, California to be Minister of Music at the First Presbyterian Church.  They enjoyed the location and all the camping trips that they took as a family.  But the working conditions were not very favorable.

1964-  They moved back to El Paso, Texas, and the Trinity Methodist church invited him back to same position.  They lived in an apt the first year and then bought a home on McKelligan St.

1971-  Aug 1st, Florence died after an ordeal with cancer.  She is greatly loved and missed.

1971-  September 4th, Carol married "Rocky" Alan Fleming.  He was in the Army and they moved to Honolulu, Hawaii.  Candace was born Aug 19th, 1972.  Carol and Candace moved back to El Paso, and Carol works as a nurse.

1973-  June 4th, Melvin married Mary Hall, and they've lived in El Paso, raising three sons, Evan Matthew born Mar 15, 1981; Randall Jason born Mar 10, 1983; and Timothy Brian born Aug 25, 1986.
       Melvin operates a chain of Whataburgers and Taco Cabanas throughout
western Texas.

1982-  Doug retired for a few years.

1985-  Doug wanted to work again, and was Minister of Music at the Peace Lutheran Church in El Paso.  Same responsibilities or organ and choir.

1986-  Doug finally retired for good.  He continues to bless other
people's lives with his pleasant countenance and grateful and humble attitude.

1992- Doug's son, Melvin moved his family to Albuquerque, NM, where they opened more WhataBurger Restaurants.  Their address is: 06 Calle Rosa, Placitas, NM 87043  Their phone number is: 505-867-8640

1995- Doug died on Jan 4, 1995.  He had planned his Funeral Program and it was a true musical gift to all.  He was at the Trinity First United Methodist Church where he was Minister of Music for 20 years. He was buried in Restlawn Park Cemetery on Jan 6th, 1995.  Now he can be again with his Florence
       Doug has written many short stories about his experiences as Music Ministers and other events in his life.  He gave copies of his stories and life experiences to Marsha Allen when she and David visited him in March 1991.
       Mary Sloan mailed copies of his Obituary and Funeral Program to Marsha.  They are in Marsha's files.

Dec 1996- Daughter, Carol Ann Fleming, sent her new address:
       2829 Yarbrough #8; El Paso, TX 79925   915-592-2219 (unlisted).