Herbert Lawrence Slack, 84, 12-year resident of Oak Harbor, died peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham Friday, May 23, 2003. He was enveloped with love as his family and pastor surrounded him with songs, word and prayer.

Mr. Slack was born in Zanesville, Ohio, June 21, 1918, to Harry T. Slack and Helen (Ditzel) Slack. He attended Zanesville schools, where he graduated from high school. On June 23, 1940, Herb married his high school sweetheart, Lucille E. Taylor, in Maysville, Ky. He served in the U.S. Army for twenty-one years, retiring with the rank of chief warrant officer-3. Herb‚s Army career brought him and his family to numerous places throughout the US, Germany and Japan. He retired in 1964 at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, Calif. Returning to Ohio following his military retirement, he entered Malone College, where he received his bacehlor’s of art degree in education. Herb taught sixth grade in the Canton (Ohio) city schools for 14 years. After he and Lucille both retired from teaching, they moved to Mesa, Ariz., where they resided for 10 years. They moved to Oak Harbor in 1991.

Herb loved to camp and travel in the family RV. Yellowstone National Park was one of his favorite places to visit. He also thoroughly enjoyed sports, including golf, tennis, basketball and bowling. He lettered in tennis at Malone College and also coached basketball there. Herb also enjoyed dancing. In 1971 he and Lucille became active square dancers in the Canton, Ohio, area. He was a member of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church where he had been a Stephen Minister.

Herb is survived by his wife Lucille, at home; his son, Dr. Montana Slack and wife Patricia of Copperas Cove, Texas; his daughter, Nancy Coe of Oak Harbor; four grandchildren, Todd Dennis and wife Sarissa of Murray City, Ohio, Abby and Richard Coe of Oak Harbor, Katie Slack of Early, Texas; two great-grandchildren, Todd Dennis Jr. and Bethany Dennis; his brother, Harry Slack, Jr., of Titusville, Fla.; his two half-sisters, Shirley Cochran of New Albany, Ohio, and Judy Wilcox and husband Tom of Centerburg, Ohio; also, by several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his half-brother Bill Cochran of Columbus, Ohio.

Visitation will be Wednesday, May 28, 2003, from 3-8 p.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel. A funeral service will be Thursday, May 29, at 3 p.m. at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, Pastor Jerry Buss officiating. Military honors and interment will take place at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent Friday, May 30, 2003, at 2 p.m. Memorials may be made to Oak Harbor Lutheran Church Memorial Fund. Arrangements under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.