Gary Tillman Slaven

Gary Tillman Slaven, 79, of Salineville, passed away at 7:55 PM on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at Altercare of Alliance Center.

He was born December 23, 1943, in Youngstown, son of the late Norman and Mildred (Phau) Slaven.

Gary grew up in the area, graduating from Crestview High School in 1961. As a proud alumni he was a huge supporter of Crestview Boosters and can be credited as the creator and first coach of the baseball program at the high school. He worked for 32 years as an automotive inspector at GM in Lordstown retiring at age 55 in the late 90’s. Gary found interest in model trains, playing the bass in a traveling band, and he appreciated time to relax and smoke his pipe. For nearly 25 years he was involved in the New Waterford volunteer fire department, later becoming an investigator and EMT. He was very proud of and very much enjoyed those years especially as an investigator, he even held onto his badge keeping it safely tucked in his wallet as a fond memento. After retiring Gary permanently left the area moving first to Jefferson, Ohio and then to Texas. Later in life he became a “Full-Timer”, living out of and traveling in his RV. Most recently spending winters in Bandera, Texas and his summers in Bryce Canyon, Utah. While in Utah he worked in a “rock shop” cutting rocks to make as souvenirs. He was a very chatty type and an amazing story teller. Gary was an avid reader and with his terrific, nearly photographic memory he remembered all sorts of facts and loved to share his knowledge with everyone. He was also known to watch Jeopardy and could quickly and correctly answer majority of the questions. Gary also enjoyed a good game of solitaire and studying his family genealogy on the computer.

He is survived by his children; Pug (his sixth child), Glenn (Lynda) Slaven of Kentucky, Ty Slaven of Negley, Tracy McGuire of Salineville, Kemper (Kathy) Slaven of Struthers, Johna Slaven of Alliance, his brother Ray (Jean) Slaven of Poland, as well as fourteen grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death in 2015 by his wife, Virginia Lee Slaven, whom he married in 1963, and his granchild, GJ.

Arrangements were entrusted to the care of the Greenisen family at the Arbaugh-Pearce-Greenisen & Sons Funeral and Cremation Services of Salem.

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