Obituaries
May 11, 2025
Robert Joseph Sloan II
Robert Joseph (Joey) Sloan II [56, Fairview Texas] left this earth in the wee hours of the morning on Sunday,
May 11, 2025. His family was at his bedside – including his fiancée, Debbie, and his beloved daughter, Belinda.
Debbie and Belinda were holding Joey’s hand – and each other – as he slipped away from us.
Joey was born August 31, 1968 to Robert Joseph Sloan I and Linda Kay (Pickett) Sloan. He was the first of
three children Robert and Linda would have.
Joey’s life was music. Learning it, teaching it, living it and loving it.
Joeys father, Robert Sloan I, was a musician. Joey wanted to learn the double bass to play music like his father
did (jammin’, jazz type music). Joey discovered a love for classical music after joining the school orchestra.
In high school, Joey was in All-State Orchestra all four years and in All-State Band his senior year (playing bass
there as well). He very much admired the director, Weldon Minnick, who was also a double bass player. Joey
was the Orchestra President his senior year. He wasn’t aware of it at the time, but he was very admired by his
fellow orchestra students. They never realized Joey did not know this; they made sure he knew it later in life.
Joey graduated from North Mesquite High School in Mesquite, Texas in 1986. In addition to the music
accolades above, Joey was also on the Varsity Tennis team, and in the Science Club and the Spanish Club.
Joey then attended the University of Texas (UT) in Austin on a full music scholarship for his undergraduate
work. He received both a Bachelor’s (1990) and Master’s (2009) of Art in Music from UT.
Joey served as the Director of Orchestras for Lovejoy ISD in Lucas, Texas (2009-2020). He has remained
friends with many of his students and their parents. He absolutely adored having an impact on these young
minds – both with music and with his ability to truly respect every student, honoring their contributions and
potential.
Joey was very fortunate to have found true love twice in his life.
- His beloved wife, Jamie Stone Sloan, sadly passed away in 2017 at age 49 from cancer. They met at their
20th high school reunion in 2006. They shared a love for UT and having grown up mostly in Mesquite,
Texas. Their beautiful daughter, Belinda (named for Jamie’s Mom, Bennie and Joey’s Mom, Linda), was
only eight years old when she lost her Mommy.
Joey spent seven years of loneliness after losing Jamie, focusing mainly on sweet Belinda and her
development. He realized in 2024 that he had a high schooler! If he did his job well, Belinda would not
need him in three years. He knew he needed to consider what else his life could be.
- Joey reached out to a high school orchestra friend, Deborah (“Debbie”) Watkins, to reconnect in April 2024.
His relationship with Debbie bloomed quickly. They’d known each other for 40 years, after all! They both
saw and admired how their high school classmate maintained the character they had both known back then.
The date they had set for their wedding was not to be. Just one year later, Joey was gone.
Joey is preceded in death by his parents, Robert Joseph Sloan I and Linda Kay (Pickett) Sloan, his wife Jamie
Stone Sloan, and beloved high school orchestra director Weldon Minnick.
Joey is survived by his sweet daughter Belinda; his adoring fiancée Deborah Watkins; sister Joni Mondy
(husband Bryan Mondy) and brother Jimmy Sloan (wife Judy Garza); nephew Jordan Franklin-Garza; nieces
Tiffany Sloan and Emma Sloan-Garza; aunts Suzanne Reed, Sissy Sloan, and Linda Pickett; best friends Brian
Hawkins, Dr. John Kim and Dr. Sumi Chanda Silva; very good friends Jennifer Johnson & Eric Murer
(Belinda’s guardians); and numerous students, friends and coworkers.
Joey’s legacy of music will sing in our hearts forever.
Condolences
Frances Moon June 05, 2025
Friend Grand Prairie , Texas
Deborah we are so sorry for your loss of your love with Joey. I know you will love him forever. Praying for you and Belinda as you deal with this sadness. Love you, Frances
Deborah Watkins June 05, 2025
Fianceé Grand Prairie , Texas
My sweet Joey. I will love you forever. 💔
Dottie and John Hyatt June 06, 2025
Friends Keller , Texas
We are saddened that the fine, talented, loving man of Joey Sloan was taken at such an early age. When you consider how much Joey and Deborah loved each other and how much he loved Belinda and the rest of his family and friends and students, the loss seems insurmountable. Rest in peace dear Joey. It must have been so comforting for you to pass while holding hands with Deborah and Belinda. We should all be grateful for that. Visit often, Joey, in the minds and hearts of your loved ones. Love and hugs-Dottie and John
Becky (Watkins) Kajzer June 07, 2025
Fiance-in-law Mesquite , Texas
Thank you to Joey's family (especially sweet Belinda) for sharing him with us and Deb, for making Joey and Belinda a part of our family, I am finding it hard to find the words but Joey, you are missed beyond measure.
Dottie and John Hyatt June 12, 2025
Friends Keller , Texas
We only knew Joey through Deborah's eyes and heart. Joey certainly was not with us long enough, but the hearts he touched, the people he encouraged seem endless. Rest in peace dear soul. We hope that you are surrounded by the love you knew and felt and that will carry you through until you all meet again. Thank you for giving Deborah so much love and joy. We are so terribly sorry for Belinda, Deborah and those closest to Joey for the immense loss they have suffered.