Ikuko Arai Sliter

Mrs. Sliter was born in the spring of 1928 in Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan, and adopted by Kutaro and Tomeno Arai. In her hometown of Sapporo, Mrs. Sliter attended and graduated from school there as she grew up in the extraordinary environment of their elite family restaurant. A large portion of her restaurant training was dedicated to the arts of entertainment, which encompassed Japanese dancing and singing, flower arrangements, tea ceremonies, and instrumental skills in both the samisen and koto, all of which immeasurable and innate talent was displayed. Additionally, Mrs. Sliter was a champion skier and a graceful ballroom dancer. With the ending of WWII, Mrs. Sliter embarked upon the beginning of a new life's adventure, finding her way to Chitose Air Force Base where an American GI, William Sliter, caught her eye. Falling in love, they soon married and had three lovely and devoted daughters. Upon S/Sgt. Sliter's reassignment to Perrin AFB in Sherman, Texas, Mrs. Sliter's newly made American friends, unable to pronounce her given name, nicknamed her "Mickey", a sweet remembrance of a name which clung to her for all of her life. It was also during this time that more than anything in the world, Mickey felt forever blessed to be taken under the wing of a very special elderly Christian woman who shared God's love and blessings with her, resulting in Mickey's dedication of her life to Christ. A further proud and joyful moment for Mickey was that after much studying, she finally became a United States citizen in 1961. Another reassignment landed the Sliters in Amarillo, where Mickey quickly became a member of the First Baptist Church. She was a lifelong devoted charter member of the International Bible Class, in which she was instrumental in starting. Mickey loved people, but more than that, she loved God and witnessing His love to people. She was a very special person who knew no stranger, as the love through her Lord Jesus Christ connected her to everyone. She loved her family dearly and took the utmost delight as grandchildren started making an appearance in her life. Mickey was a remarkable wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Mickey had a great sense of humor, sharing her beautiful smile and infectious laughter with everyone she came across. A self-taught cook, her delicious meals were sought and fought over by all. Her creative streak showed in the many beautiful clothes she sewed and in the simple yet elegant flower arrangements made, especially enjoying her service in the church's flower ministry. Although Mickey loved performing and sharing the arts from her native country of Japan, she equally enjoyed her newfound fun of American life with camping, fishing, barbecues, dominoes, 42, and pinochle, oft times staying up until the wee hours of the morning for the chance of another game or another place to fish . She was also an indiscriminate shopper, adoring her self-imposed role of personal shopper for her daughters and grandchildren. Mickey had an independent streak, surprisingly fearless in her adopted country as she passionately embraced all that life had to offer. Through her many examples, she led the way, teaching others to live as such also. Although passed from this earthly life, Mickey will live on in our hearts, through our memories and actions, as we continue on, celebrating her presence on earth and in our lives. She is survived by her dear husband, William Sliter, her oldest daughter, Jane Rose of Austin with her husband Jamey and son Christian; her middle daughter, Shelby Jean Sillivent of Amarillo with husband Robert and son Devin Hinds of Houston; and her youngest daughter, June Sliter and daughter Jessica Jones, both of Amarillo. She was preceded in death by her parents, Kutaro and Tomeno Arai, and her sister, Kuniko and brother-in-law

Service Schedule

Church Memorial Service First Baptist Church Chapel 1208 S. Tyler Amarillo, TX 79101 Tuesday, January 13, 2015 11:00 a.m.

Burial Schedule

Memorial Park Cemetery Amarillo , TX

Memorial Contributions

First Baptist Church 1208 S. Tyler Amarillo, TX 79101