Lester L Slone

Slone, Lester L 76 of Pinellas Park passed away peacefully at home on January 31, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Saint Petersburg, Florida on Christmas Day December 25, 1939. Educated in Pinellas County School System, native of Florida with ancestry dating back to the mid 1800’s. He was an automotive machinist and local race car driver. He was well known for his abilities to build precise engines and fast cars. His racing career spanned from the late 1950’s to the mid 1970’s. In 1970 at Islip Speedway in New York he won The World Figure 8 Championship that was televised on ABC Wide World of Sports. Special meetings were held in the city of Pinellas Park Government to have a parade. One week and a day later the parade was held in his honor. He also won numerous other championships and broke many racing records. The majority of his career as a machinist was at CAP’s Auto Parts and Machine Inc. and built most of his race cars at Associate Generators owned by his brother Bobby. When he hung up his helmet, he and his wife Sylvia ventured into the camping scene. He loved the mountains, streams, nature and wildlife. He seemed to go where he enjoyed the restaurants with country food and festivals. One of his favorite things to do was to leave early in the morning for day trips and end up 400 miles away for lunch. In his spare time he volunteered for his wife at Lynch Elementary School in Saint Petersburg. Predeceased by his parents Robert and Edna, and his brother Chester. Survived by his loving wife of 34 years Sylvia, Brother; Bobby Slone (Donna), 2 sons Les (Michelle), Scott (Cassie) Thompson, 2 daughters Rose Slone (Art) Ouellette, Tracy Slone (Tom) Bodenbender, 9 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and sister Freda Slone Melody. Celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at 10:00am at War Veterans Memorial Park Shelter #5, 9600 Bay Pines Blvd., St. Petersburg, FL