Obituary of Leonard Sluss

Leonard "Jiggs" Sluss joined his Lord, Savior, predeceased friends, and family members on Friday January 26, 2019. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed. Characteristics he will be remembered for (among others) are; his gentle spirit but fierce courage and convictions, strength of body and will, love of learning, an inquisitive mind, his knowledge and practice of civil engineering including the use of computers in that field of study, unconditional love of family and friends, and his newly found creative talents of art, writing, gardening and landscaping in his later years.

Leonard was born in Clarksburg, W.Va. on August 28, 1920. His grandparents, Effie and Richard Sluss in Beckley, W. Va., raised him. At Woodrow Wilson High School, he was an outstanding athlete participating in football, basketball, baseball, and track and field.

He married Helen Wagner on October 18, 1941. They had 53 wonderful years together.

During WWII, he joined the United States Army and served with the 542^nd Regiment, Second Engineering Brigade in the Southwest Pacific Theater (New Guinea and Southern Philippines Liberation).

Leonard had a long career as a civil engineer. He built roads in six states including part of  I-81. His experience, abilities, and work ethic made him a highly respected engineer.

He lived in Roanoke from 1958 to 1973. While here, he worked for Albert Brothers Construction Company. He and his family were members of Villa Heights Baptist Church in Roanoke. He moved to Midlothian, Va. in 1973. While there, he joined the Tomahawk Baptist Church, and his membership remains there.

Helen and “Jiggs” had one daughter, Anita (David) Kessler, one granddaughter, Angela (Warren Lapine) Kessler, and one great granddaughter, Tara Fae Kessler-Lapine.

His wife, Helen died in 1994. Later, he met and fell in love with another Helen, Helen Talbert. They were life partners for about 23 wonderful years.

Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter, granddaughter (and their husbands), his great granddaughter, and one half-sister, Effie Wingate. He has several wonderful nieces, and nephews. He loved them all and felt they were all truly “family”. He was especially close to Anne Graham Sumpter and Velvet Graham Hammond, both in Roanoke. Also surviving are Helen Talbert and her family who Leonard loved very much and who treated him as one of their own. Lastly, he leaves behind his faithful friend and companion, his Pekingese, “Peaches”, whom he loved and spoiled and who will miss “Papa” very much!

Family will receive friends from 10:00am until 10:45am Monday January 28, 2019 at Simpson Funeral Home, Roanoke. At 10:45am until service time at 11:00am a Video Tribute of Leonard’s life, which includes the songs he requested to be sung at his service will be shown. Funeral service will begin at 11:00am with Dr. Mark Graham, Pastor at St. John Lutheran Church officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.