Henry I. "Happy" Slayton Jr.

Henry I. (Happy) Slayton, Jr., 92, passed away Monday, August 26, 2013, at Roman Eagle where he had been a resident for 3 months. Born in Danville, Virginia, on January 6, 1921, he was the son of the late Henry I. Slayton and the late Eula Brooks Slayton. Happy married Chloe Frances Bailey on October 15, 1945. She passed away on October 20, 2011. Mr. Slayton was a long time member of First Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon. A graduate of from Hargrave Military Academy in 1941, Mr. Slayton saw action in both World War II and the Korean conflict. Slayton retired from the Virginia National Guard in 1974 with the rank of Lt. Colonel after 38 years of active duty and National Guard service. He served as Military Aide-de-Camp to four Virginia Governors. After retiring from military service, Mr. Slayton served as the Business Development Officer for Bank of Virginia-Danville, now First Citizens. Appointed by Danville City Council, Slayton served on the Industrial Development Authority for 36 years (secretary/treasurer), Danville Industrial Development, and Danville Airport Commission. In 1988 he was appointed to chair a committee to locate the necessary property to build a family oriented park to honor the late Congressman Dan Daniel. After the 200 acre property was located, Danville City Council requested that he remain to help raise the necessary funds from the private sector to finance the project. All of the goals were met and the Dan Daniel Memorial Park was dedicated in June, 1992. In 1983, Mr. Slayton was appointed to the Virginia Committee for Employer Support for the National Guard and Reserve by the US Assistant Secretary of Defense. He served on the State Executive Committee and as Chairman of the Piedmont Region. Also in 1983, The Kiwanis Club of Danville presented Mr. Slayton with the Outstanding Citizenship Award. In 1991, he was honored by Hargrave Military Academy with the Distinguished Alumnus Achievement Award for the Class of 1941 and in 2000; they presented him with the Outstanding Alumni Award. Mr. Slayton served on the Averett University Board of Trustees from 1983 until 2010 and continued to serve as Trustee Emeritus. In December 2001, he was awarded an honorary Bachelor of Arts degree by Averett as the first graduate at the first commencement after becoming a university. Mr. Slayton was a Life Honorary Board Member for the Danville Lifesaving Crew. On December 4, 2012, Danville City Council honored Happy with a Certificate of Recognition for his years of service to Danville. Over the years Slayton has served in various capacities on other boards. Among these are: American Red Cross Danville Chapter (Chairman), American Red Cross Advisory Council for Virginia and West Virginia, Big Brothers, Boy Scouts of America Blue Ridge Mountain Council, City Beautiful Committee (Vice-President), Danville Chamber of Commerce (Treasurer and Vice President), Danville-Pittsylvania Heart Association, Danville Sertoma Club, Virginia Heart Association, Wayles R. Harrison Memorial Cancer Fund (Chairman), and Womack Charitable Foundation. He was also a member of Roman Eagle Lodge #122 A.F. & A.M, Danville Scottish Rites Bodies, Acca Temple Shrine, American Legion Post 325, and Danville Elks Lodge (Exalted Ruler). Mr. Slayton was a former member of the Danville Golf Club, the German Club, and the Young Men’s Club. Survivors include a daughter, Jane Slayton Willis and her husband Steve, a granddaughter, Elizabeth Byrd Willis, and two brothers: Wallace Slayton and Garland Slayton. He was predeceased by a sister, Wendolyn Ann “Peggy” West, and a brother, Robert Gerald Slayton. The family would like to thank to Recus Davis and Chris Fallen of Faith Caregiver Services for their providing outstanding compassionate care. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at First Baptist Church and at other times will be at the residence of his daughter, 111 Wilton Avenue. A Celebration of Life will be conducted by the Reverend John Carroll and Dr. Frank Campbell on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. from First Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Highland Burial Park with military honors conducted by the Army National Guard. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Danville Life Saving Crew or Averett University.

Henry I. "Happy" Slayton Jr.

January 6, 1921 - August 26, 2013