LAKE ALFRED - Jack Emmett Slay, 83, died Aug. 30, 2009 of COPD, at his home in Lake Alfred. 

He was born 11-26-25 to Emmett and Dorothy Slay in Dallas, TX, where he grew up.  As a toddler he knew he wanted to be a pilot.  He started taking flying lessons at 9 years old and soloed at the age of 12.  He also was a violinist and as a child played violin on a weekly radio program.  At 17, he joined the US Navy and served in combat in the South Pacific during WW2.  He worked for California Eastern as a Flight Instructor for the U S Air Force as a civilian and later became a Flight Commander.  At various times in his career he was a crop duster in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana, Mississippi, Massachusetts, Maine, Nicaragua and Ecuador.  After living in Nicaragua for 6 years, he and the family moved back to Edinburg, TX, and formed Spraviation, an aerial spraying business.  In 1976 the family moved to Bartlesville, OK.  In 2000, Jack and Jane moved to Lake Alfred. 

Jack was a member of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, Quiet Birdmen of America (QB’S), Experimental Aircraft Assoc., Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assoc., Winter Haven Pilots Assoc., Antique Airplane Assoc. and Vintage Aircraft Assoc.

Jack is survived by Jane, his wife of 53 years, his 4 children, Jack E. Slay, Jr., of Ft. Worth, TX, Denise Slay, of Hilo, Hawaii, Scott Slay of Lake Alfred and Lindsay Carroll of Pensacola, Sandra Slay Trepka and husband Bill, of Bartlesville, Ok, and Cheryl Slay of Winter Haven, daughter in law;  grandchildren Angie Slay Hathcock and husband Marty of Alvarado, TX, Tammy Slay Wade and husband Kendell of Alvarado, TX, Kristen Slay of North Richland Hills, TX,  Dane Nogar of Hilo, Hawaii, Kevin Nogar and wife Shonna of Paonia, Colorado, Alex Slay of Milwaukee, WI, Kelsey Trepka of Stillwater, OK, and Jessica Trepka of Ann Arbor, MI;  great grandchildren Trey McNiel and wife Ashley of Alvarado, TX, Ashley, Daniel, Pamela and Jamie Nogar of Paonia, CO.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to:   Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave, Auburndale FL 33823

The funeral will be held on Friday Sept 4, 2pm at St. Albans Episcopal Church, 202 Pontotoc,  Auburndale.  Condolences may be sent at www.oakridgefuneralcare.com.