Page 25 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2023 - Online Magazine

HISTORY OF SLATON

of the family, as well as lights in the agricultural legacy of the
curator of some of the Lone Star State."
most interesting artifacts of
family history, including Like many of the pioneers who settled
Engine #224. He wrote 80+ West Texas, the Slaton Kittens represent
pages and published the the value of family and the importance
2nd edition of TWKC in of community. They didn't isolate; they
2015. He is also passionate invested. And individually, and as a
about his spiritual heritage family, they have continued to devote
and tears up as he recalls themselves to the well-being of their
not just one but two near- hometown.
death experiences. He built
a lovely grotto just outside Grotto behind Jerry Kitten's house
his back gate and made
sure it was situated in an
ideal spot for visitors to
drive by or to park and get
progeny with names like Mohammed, out to pray or meditate on
Consuelo, and Chin. They have produced one of his tree-trunk stools or handmade
doctors, lawyers, teachers, nurses, factory kneelers.
workers, cabinet makers, and everything
in between. Besides cotton, maize, The Texas Family Land Heritage Award
livestock, and every other agricultural was recently awarded to the Texas
product, the Kittens have raised Kittens because of the legacy which
engineers of all varieties: civil, electrical, began in 1912. The Family Land Heritage
mechanical, agricultural and, in Einig's (FLH) program honors families who have
words, “the most important: domestic.” owned and run a continuous agricultural
They are known for their innovative operation for 100 years or more.
thinking and have over 25 U.S. patents
by 14 different individuals (including A plaque commemorating the award
the seven that Jerry holds) to back up the says that the Kitten
reputation. It is in the DNA of the whole family purchased 4
Kitten family to improve the world 1/2 sections of land at
As a Cooperative Member
around them. That mission was instilled Slaton on top of the As a Coopera ti v e M ember
in them many centuries ago. As Jerry Ogallala Aquifer which
says, “We are indeed blessed!” has yielded life-giving
water to families for I have the power to
Collectively, the family is faithful to eight generations choose more time
its roots. The Slaton Kittens have been and counting. with my best friend.
supporting their spiritual home, St. According to Texas
Joseph Catholic Church, since they Ag Commissioner Sid
helped erect it in 1917. The Texas Kittens Miller, “Every Texan Competition is coming
hold reunions every five years, and their today owes a debt for LP&L customers,
numbers continue to grow exponentially. of gratitude to these
generations of Texans but be assured that
Jerry Kitten is recognized as the who work the soil. your locally-owned
voluntary historian and genealogist They are the brightest Co-op will continue
to take care of your
electric business so
Kennedy Bryant and her best
you can take care friend, Luigi. Her parents, Jarrod
of your family. and Whitney, have been Co-op
members since 2011.

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Lubbock Senior Link 25