Gerald Dean Slagle

Just shy of his 74th birthday, Gerald Dean Slagle of Raytown, Missouri, went to be with the Lord on September 9, 2016.

Gerald was born on October 4, 1942 in Fairbury, Nebraska to Otis and Emma (Herbster) Slagle. He was the youngest of 10 children. Gerald, as all of his brothers did, served our country in the United States military. Gerald was a graduate of the Army Security Agency and a member of the United States Army as a Morse Code Operator, with an overseas tour in Korea.

After his honorable discharge from active duty, Gerald’s professional career was marked by working at several sign companies, including a long-career at Nesper Sign Company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Through his life Gerald was the quintessential “Mr. Fix-It” guy. People who knew Gerald know him as one of the most caring and helpful individuals a person could ever hope to meet.

By his own admission, Gerald’s greatest earthly accomplishment was becoming a Christian in 1977. Throughout the rest of his life, Gerald was an example of the power of forgiveness and regeneration and served in several homeless shelters, food banks, and churches across the country for the last 40 years.

Gerald was married to Cindy Sue (Fish) Slagle on April 22, 1989. The two made their home in Raytown, Missouri and were very actice in church events and in the lives of their families.

Gerald was an especially loving father of his children, three by birth; Michael Ray Slagle, Ronald Dean Slagle, and Douglas Allan Slagle, and three by marriage to Cindy; Scott Marble, Kurt Marble, and Hallie (Marble) McCord. All six loved and respected him a great deal.

Gerald was also an incredible grandfather to 15 kids. His impact and influence on their lives will be felt for generations to come.

Survivors include wife Cindy, four brothers; Ernie Slagle of Boulder, Colorado, Donald Slagle (Laura) of Belleville, Kansas, Robert Slagle of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Delbert Slagle of North Little Rock, Arkansas, and one sister Mildred (Slagle) Knight of Omaha, Nebraska.

Surviving children, in-laws, and grandchildren include; Michael, Jenny, Luke and Micah Slagle of Overland Park, Kansas, Ronald, Bambi, Jared, Megan, and Emma Slagle of Marion, Iowa, Douglas, Brenda, Joshua and Caleb Slagle of Marion, Iowa, Scott, Denise, Elisha, Lauren, and Alexander Marble of Omaha, Nebraska, Kurt, Acen, and Attica Marble of Blairstown, Iowa, and Ryan, Hallie, William, Anya, and Isabella McCord of Blue Springs, Missouri.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents Otis and Emma Slagle, step-mother Alice (Allsman) Slagle, brothers Milton and Vernon Slagle, and sisters Lucille Coonrod and Margaret Butts.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, September 18, 2016 at Abundant Life Baptist Church at 304 SW Persels Road Lee’s Summit, Missouri 64081. Memorial donations can be made to Manna Fellowship Church food pantry at 17235 Bel-Ray Place Belton, Missouri 64012.