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Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services - Ocala

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Lanford "Lanny" T Slaughter, Sr

April 27th, 1940 - January 27th, 2025

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Those We Love Are Never More Than A Thought Apart, As Long As We Have Memory Mr. Slaughter Will Forever Live On In Our Hearts

Lanford “Lanny” T. Slaughter, Sr. of Ocala, Florida passed away unexpectedly on January 27, 2025, at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital.  Lanny was born on April 27, 1940, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Julia T. Slaughter and William L. Slaughter.  He attended Ft. Myers High School in Ft. Myers, Florida where he participated in multiple sports, became an Eagle Scout, and served as class president. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Florida and was an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. During his time at the University of Florida, he met and married his wife, Suzanne Niles. After college, he attended the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1970. To begin his career in dentistry, Lanny enlisted in the United States Army. He obtained the rank of Captain and served for three years at Ft. Polk, Louisiana.  After completion of his military service, he established a dental practice in Ocala, Florida, where he and Suzanne made a permanent home with their family. 

 Dr. Slaughter practiced dentistry in Ocala from 1973 until his retirement in 2021.  Over several decades, he built a successful solo practice through hard work, perseverance and sacrifice. He was dedicated to his patients and staff, treating them like family.  He was well known as “the painless dentist.”  He truly made Ocala smile.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.  He also belonged to the Gator Club, the Quarterback Club, the Elks Club, the Shriners, the American Dental Association and the board of directors for the Hospice of Marion County. During his free time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time on his tractor. 

Lanny was a devoted husband to his wife for over 63 years. Suzanne was the love of his life, and they were inseparable from the first time they met. They created a loving home and raised three adoring children. His children saw him as a role model who, by example, instilled in them honesty, strong work ethic and compassion for others.  Lanny’s presence will be deeply missed by family, friends and all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Julia T. Slaughter of Ocala, his father, William L. Slaughter of Ocala and his brother, John R. Slaughter of Tennessee. Lanny is survived by his wife, Suzanne Slaughter, his daughter, Melanie, his sons Lanford, Jr. and Chad, and his grandchildren Colby, Ryan, Lanford, Julia, David, John, Nora, Lila, and Nate.

A celebration of life will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Ocala, on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 2 p.m. Following the service, a reception will be held at the First Presbyterian Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, please donate to either Hospice of Marion County or the Humane Society of Marion County. 

We Entrusted Lanford Slaughter's Care To

Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services - Ocala

Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services - Ocala

Since 1885, Hiers-Baxley in Ocala, near charming historic downtown, has provided compassionate and comprehensive funeral services. Our facilities are designed to accommodate every family's needs, featuring versatile spaces like our chapel and reception room for gatherings of any size, private viewing rooms, and a cremation viewing suite....

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(352) 414-4206

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