Gerald Dee Slagle

Gerald “Gerry” Dee Slagle, age 74, went home peacefully to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 29, 2020 while at home. Gerry was born on January 3, 1946, in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Dennis and Nova Ann (Austin) Slagle. He grew up enjoying fun times with his older brother Harold and younger brother Al in Berryhill, Oklahoma. Some of his many fondest memories were riding his horse, Sally, going shooting with his brothers, playing baseball in the yard with the neighbors, and throwing tomatoes at the trains as they passed by. His most treasured memory was meeting Sandra Kay Drake during high school. He said she was a busy gal that would never sit down long enough for him to talk to her. One day he finally caught her attention and they’ve never been apart since. Gerry graduated from Berryhill High School in 1964 and he married his high school sweetheart August 7, 1965.

Gerry was drafted into the Army in 1966, where he served for 4 years in Germany during the Vietnam War. After the war him and Sandy made their home in Tulsa, Oklahoma where he finished his business degree through the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa. Gerry worked for PSO as a supervisor for 17 years and then went on to work for American Airlines for 26 years as a payroll analyst. He retired from American in 2013.

Gerry gave his life to Jesus Christ at the age of 28 after a tornado hit their home on June 8, 1974. A year later they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Sarah Elizabeth. Gerry lived his life loving, serving and being Jesus to all he met. He served as deacon at Gracemont Baptist Church, was the Sunday School director at Victory Christian, and a supporting member of Rejoice Church.

He loved spending time at home working in his garage and in the yard. His most enjoyable times were teaching his daughter to fix cars, lawn mowers, taking things apart and putting them (somewhat) back together again. He tried street roller skating for the first time at the age of 37 that ended with a broken wrist. Gerry loved traveling with his family and exploring new places.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father; brothers, Lloyd Dee Slagle and John Franklin Slagle; sisters, Velma Crow, Geneiva Harroun, and Anna Chainey; son-in-law Geoff Leatherland; mother and father-in-law, Arley and Wynona Dunbar.

He is continually loved by his high-school sweetheart of 54 years, Sandra Kaye; daughter, Sarah Leatherland; grandchildren, Jack, Caleb, and Sydney Leatherland; sister, Norma Jean Willmes, of California; brothers, Harold Dennis Slagle, of Nevada, and Al Deen Slagle and his wife Jamesetta, of Oregon; and many other nephews, nieces, cousins, family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm Saturday, March 7, 2020 at Rejoice Church, 13413 E. 106th St. N., Owasso, Ok, with Pastor Casey Cariker. Burial, with military honors, will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery. Public viewing will be open Wednesday and Thursday at Schaudt’s Funeral Home, 5757 S. Memorial Dr. Tulsa, Ok. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 8:00pm Friday, March 6, 2020.