John Edward Slayden, M.D.

John Edward Slayden, MD, died peacefully on January 23, 2025. John, an only child, was born on December 24, 1940, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to John Willard and Veva Grayum Slayden. 

He graduated from Arkansas State University in 1962 and the University of Arkansas School of Medicine in 1966. He served as a Captain, a Flight Surgeon, the Chief of Aeromedical Services, and the Military Public Health and Occupational Medicine in the United States Air Force while stationed at Webb Air Force Base in Texas.

After the Air Force, he pursued a radiology residency at UAMS. He was on staff as a physician and instructor at UAMS and the VA Hospital in Little Rock until he went into private practice with Radiology Consultants. He retired from private practice in 2015 after several years with CARTI/LRHO. John was honored to be elected a Fellow in the American College of Radiology and the American Board of Nuclear Medicine. John was a true, steadfast husband and best friend to Ruby, a proud father to a lovely daughter who was the “apple of his eye,” a grandfather, a loyal and dependable friend, a faithful Razorback fan, and an avid reader.

John is survived by his wife, Ruby Long Slayden; his daughter Kristin Slayden Vint (Zach) of Little Rock; his grandson Matthew Vint, his brother-in-law, Jimmy Long (Lizan) of Bella Vista, AR; and his sister-in-law Julie Dykes (Larry) of Flower Mound, TX.

His family would like to thank the Neurosurgery and Neuro-Oncology teams of MD Anderson Hospital and Arkansas Hospice for their compassionate care.

By request, no services are planned at this time.

“Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth and danced the skies on

laughter-silvered wings; I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace

where never lark, or ever eagle flew …. And while with silent, lifting mind

I’ve trod the high untrespassed sanctity of space, put out my hand and

touched the face of God.”

Arrangements by Arkansas Cremation, 10515 W Markham St, Suite B1, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205. If you would like to leave a message of condolence to the family, you may do so using the Guestbook section.

www.arkansascremation.com