Terry Slattery

Beloved Terry Joseph Slattery, 65, of Cape Girardeau passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2020, at his home, with his wife by his side.

He was born April 11, 1954, in Perryville, Missouri, and was the son of Doris Ann Abernathy Slattery. He was adopted by his father, Donald Francis Slattery, who currently resides in Texas.

He attended Cape Girardeau Central High School, where he lettered in football and track and went on to compete for the Southeast Missouri State University Indians as a wide receiver from 1972 to 1976. He was the leading receiver in 1975 with 28 catches and 471 yards. He graduated from Southeast with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1976.

On July 10, 1982, Terry and Annette Grupas were married at St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau. He was the love of her life. They were married for 37 years and raised a loving family here.

He started working for Howard's Athletic Goods Co. in 1984 and purchased the store in 2013. He supplied Cape Girardeau youths with all their sporting equipment needs and made many friends before retiring in July 2019. He was a member of St. Vincent's Catholic Church, a former member of the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and was awarded the Youth Sports Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.

Terry loved his family, especially his sons, Patrick (Stephanie) and Blake (Mandi Wood) Slattery, who brought him great joy while coaching and watching their sports. He loved playing Play-Doh and coloring with his granddaughter, Adi, and holding his grandson, Brady. Their annual family vacations to Breckenridge, Colorado, that included eating, hiking and biking in the mountains, made him smile and sometimes grumble. Some of his other hobbies included grilling for Sunday family dinners, playing golf with his sons, and watching or listening to Southeast and Cardinals baseball.

He was a quiet and mischievous jokester who always got a laugh with his subtle humor. He was kind and good-hearted and always ready to lend a helping hand with home improvement projects to family and friends.

Survivors include his wife; two sons; two grandchildren; father; siblings, Larry (Mary Ann), Tim (Dana) and John (Morgan) Slattery and Sharon (Rick) Meyer; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Doris Slattery, and brother, Jerry Slattery.

A private family visitation will take place Tuesday, followed by a graveside committal service at St. Mary's Cemetery by the Rev. Brian Straus.

Because of COVID-19 concerns and state mandates, a Mass of Resurrection and reception for the public will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Brain Tumor Association, www.abta.org, or Southeast Hospice, sehealth.org.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.