“font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;”>A devoted husband and father, an outstanding businessman and philanthropist, Gene was often described as both a teddy bear and tiger.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>He was born to John R. and Mary (Massud) Slay in the spring of 1927 and died April 3, 2011.
“mso-spacerun: yes;”> growing up on Hickory Street in south St. Louis.
“mso-spacerun: yes;”> throughout his life. At McKinley High School, he excelled in football, baseball, track and wrestling. In 1944, as a teenager, he was the Missouri State and Ozark A.A.U. Wrestling Champion. He was offered an athletic scholarship to St. Louis University but World War II had not yet ended and he was drafted for military service. He proudly served from 1945 to 1947; he was in the 7th Division of the U.S. Army, serving his tour of duty in Korea and Japan.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Upon his return from military service, Mr. Slay met his future wife, Joan Schadlbauer, on the Admiral Cruise ship in St. Louis. They married in 1952 at St. Vincent Catholic Church where he had attended grade school. Together they had seven children: Jeanne, Gary (Laura), Guy (Bob), Glen (Carla), Jill (Jeff) Garlich, Janet (Matt) Westphal, Jeffrey and twelve grandchildren: Gary, Jacob, Natalie, Kayla, Olivia, Glen, Joanie, Julia, Jeffrey, Alex, Sabrina, and Anthony.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Family was important to him and like his father, Gene had strong entrepreneurial skills. In 1948, Gene joined his father and began making deliveries throughout the city for the transportation company. During this time, he nurtured relationships with established clients and began developing new customers; his advancement with the company was rapid and impressive. Gradually, in addition to transportation, Gene developed warehousing, packaging and barging operations, expanding his father’s small commercial enterprise into one of St. Louis’ largest privately held businesses, operating in 48 states, Canada and Mexico. While growing his businesses, he was always mindful of helping others.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>He believed it was an honor to give back and truly cherished the opportunity to be such a pillar in the philanthropic community. In the early 1960’s, Gene, along with Danny Thomas, Alex Aboussie and other influential Lebanese businessmen, helped form the St. Louis Chapter of ALSAC, the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities. The main focus of ALSAC was to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, fighting catastrophic illnesses and diseases affecting children. For his outstanding effort, Danny Thomas presented Gene with an award for outstanding support of the St. Louis Chapter of ALSAC and his other civic and charitable activities.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>In 1983, he organized and chaired a benefit for war victims of Lebanon. The event was called “Lebanon We Care”, a Las Vegas-style variety show at the Fox Theatre. Headliners included Danny Thomas, Danny Gans, Rita Moreno and other celebrities.
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commended for his efforts decade after decade; not the least of
which are The BackStoppers, the St. Louis Italian Open for
Children’s Charities, St.
Louis Chapter of the NFL Alumni, Faith House and the
APDA.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>As a boy, he was a member of the St. Louis Boy’s Club and found himself continually going back to the Club on South 11th Street to help and contribute toward the development of young boys in need. He served as President of the Club and became Chairman of the Board in 1993. He pursued his dream of creating an endowment large enough to become self-sustaining. Through his leadership, a premier annual golf outing at the Norwood Hills Country Club was initiated and became the cornerstone of the fund-raising to accomplish his dream.
“mso-spacerun: yes;”> term contributions, the St. Louis Boy’s Club was renamed the Gene Slay’s Boys’ Club of St. Louis in his honor.
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came from to truly know where he was going.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>His family cherishes fond memories of his love of family and the excellent example he set by his compassion and generosity. His legacy will be the many lives he touched young and old, near and far, and the obvious ways he left the world a better place than he found it.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Donald M. Suggs, publisher of the
“mso-bidi-font-style: normal;”>St. Louis American condolences to Mr. Slay’s family. He says, “Mr. Slay was an unselfish supporter of the St. Louis American Foundation for many years. He was a generous, loyal and valued personal friend of mine, and I will miss him and his counsel greatly.”
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>The family requests donations to: Gene Slay’s Boys’ Club of St. Louis, 2524 South Eleventh Street, St. Louis, MO 63104.
