John Commodore Slone was born on May 19, 1893, at Raven, Kentucky, the son of  Leaner Thornsbury Slone and Issac Slone. Due to family conditions and responsibilities, Commodore was forced into manhood at a very early age. As a lad, he attended a training  school directed by George Clarke, and upon completion, began a teaching career in a one room school where he found  himself younger than many of his pupils. In 1917, Commodore began Moon Light Schools in the area under the authority of the Kentucky Literacy Commission.  He also became the first postmaster of Pippa Passes.
          
 In June 1918, Commodore married Jeanette Hammonds. Jeanette and Commodore raised seven children, three boys and four girls.  In 1918, during World War I, Commodore volunteered for the U.S. Army and within one month was promoted to Corporal and delegated the responsibility of platoon leader  Upon returning from the military, Commodore enrolled in the Ohio Mechanics Institute, where he studied architecture. Two of Commodore's first works while a student in Architectural School were a hotel in Prestonsburg and Cushing Hall at Alice Lloyd College. Both still stand today. Upon completion of  Architectural School, he became Knott County's first architect. Commodore’s skills were soon recognized throughout the Appalachian  region and his designs include many major buildings, among them, the Dupont Lodge at Cumberland Falls. He was recruited to assist in developing architectural plans for   structures at the Oak-Ridge Atomic Energy Plant in Tennessee.  Most  of the major buildings  at Alice Lloyd College, until recent years, were designed and built under his direction, with little or no  compensation. His designs have been and still are studied by prominent  architectural students because of their uniqueness, especially those displaying his genius for designing self-supporting roofs. Many of his plans and designs which include courthouses, schools, churches, and personal residences were given as gifts.
                                                                             
In 1952, Commodore, while an instructor at Hazard Vocational School, designed the wooden lung. Commodore was a dreamer of dreams and a seeker of knowledge.In addition to all his other talents, he was first and foremost an educator and a believer in education both in and out of the classroom, and spent his lifetime sharing his love of learning. He was a mentor to his younger brothers and sisters, a living example to his own children, and a source of inspiration to countless others whose lives he touched. His dedication led him to take his place of service wherever he was most needed. In the 1940's, as a coordinator and teacher of vocational education, Commodore gained a reputation as being an expert in "on the job training".  He won recognition from the University of Kentucky for achievement in the 1950's. In the 1960'sas an instructor at Alice Lloyd College, he was appreciated for being able to inspire students to develop their skills in math, architecture, and engineering It was there on March 9, 1969, that Commodore made his  great transition with a look of happiness on his face and his Bible resting in   his lap. Placed on the arm of his chair was another of his favorite books, "the Works of Mark Twain. As a result of Commodore and Jeanette's educational and community service ethics, their family would make them both proud. Their love for education  continues to thrive through their descendants. The eldest son, John Commodore, Jr., was killed in a plane crash while serving in the U.S. Arms Air Corps during World War II. The education accomplishments of their six children are: at one time all were high school teachers, four daughters English teachers and   librarians, one son an engineer, and one son an accountant.

Academic achievements have flourished through their grandchildren: a renowned artist and author, librarians, an economist, a pharmacist, English  teachers, medical technicians, certified public accountants, speech pathologists, and lawyers. Two of Commodore's grandchildren are college professors and five are high school teachers.  Three of his  grandchildren have been named Caney Scholars at Alice Lloyd College. Two descendants have been named Governor's Scholars and given academic scholarships for graduate school at Vanderbilt.

In addition to his architectural and educational skills, Commodore, in the later stages of his life, dedicated his time and turned his devotion to the church. He designed, constructed and was a major fund raiser for the Caney Baptist Church. Upon completion of the structure, he took his place in the congregation. Here, until his death, he taught Sunday School.  Commodore's intellect and keen perception for human life is revealed in much of his poetry which was written while lounging in his favorite chair by the fire.

Submitted by Corbett Mullins
March 2003