C. Lee Slagle

Charles “Lee” Slagle, Jr. passed away peacefully on October 30, 2024, in Annapolis, MD after several years of severe chronic health issues. Lee was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania November 1, 1946, to Charles Lee “Charlie” and Iona (Laney) Slagle, both deceased. He has a sister 10 years younger, Dr. Sue Ellen Haupt, Boulder, Colorado. Lee graduated from Johnstown High School 1964 and went to University of Maryland, College Park where he received his B.S. and M.B.A. Degrees.

While at UMCP he also met his spouse of 53 years, Renee (Messier) Slagle in an Economics class. They were married September 8, 1971, and subsequently had 2 children, Brian Lee Slagle and Christine Michelle Slagle Lilly, 4 grandchildren Samantha Lee and Sydney Rose Slagle, Ava Grace Lilly and Adam Alexander Lilly, and a bonus grandson Christopher Haynes. Lee is also survived by son in law Jason Lilly, daughter in law Samantha Autumn Wright Slagle, brother in laws Dr. Randy Haupt, Alex |Messier, Glen Messier, sister in laws, Olivia Messier Jastrzembski, Sarah Messier, Debbie Messier, cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Lee’s Engineering college career was interrupted by the draft in 1967 when he served 2 years in the U.S. Army Paratroopers, 82nd Airborne. When he returned to university he majored in Business Administration Finance. After receiving his MBA, he went to work as a Stockbroker and Tax Preparer and subsequently headed his own Broker Dealer and Tax Accounting businesses. His primary office was in the North Bethesda- Potomac - Rockville area for 30+ years. After selling a large part of his Washington and suburb practice, he spent the next 15+ years providing his Tax and Financial Services and for his Annapolis, Relatives and Friends, which he called his ARF “The Real Dogs” accounts.

As a boy growing up in Johnstown, Lee was a Boy Scout, played trombone in the high school band, water and snow skied, hunted, fished and worked summers on a local farm from the age 10-17, starting at $.35 an hour. As a young father, he coached his son’s soccer league in Montgomery County. As he had no soccer experience, he coached by reading the “how to play” chapter before each practice. After 6 years with his son’s league, he started coaching his 6-year-old daughter’s team. He knew the game better by then but was not prepared for all the tears when no one wanted to be goalie.

Lee also was scoutmaster for his son’s Boy Scout troops for about 7 years. He felt one of his best accomplishments was taking twenty 10–16-year-old boys to Scouting Camp for a week in Goshen, VA. Other parents who were scheduled to go cancelled at the last minute. Being a Scout Master, who did not want to disappoint his scouts, Lee went anyway and made several older boys his Assistant Scout Leaders. He was extremely impressed by how well all the boys, who were such a mixture of ages, religions, and cultures, worked, played and

prayed together in a primitive camping environment.

Lee and his family moved in 1987 to Thomas Point RD, Annapolis MD and renovated a home at the mouth of the South River with a view of the Chesapeake Bay. Though raised as a Lutheran, he became a St. Mary’s parishioner as he and his wife, who was Catholic, brought their kids up in that tradition. Once his children grew up, Lee sponsored Naval Academy Midshipmen Plebes for about 10 years. He got to attend two of their retirement ceremonies. He also leaned into his Western Pennsylvania roots becoming an avid hunter, fisherman, amateur Master chef displaying great talent “from the wild to the table”. He caught, killed, cleaned, canned, froze and cooked great meals from fresh caught fish and game. One of his long-time business associates and friend made up a blue t-shirt with the saying “Camp Slagle Where No One Ever Goes to Bed Hungry.”

Lee loved fishing and was well known as a “Top Angler on the Bay.” His crew known as “Team Geritol” regularly placed in tournaments, even winning 2010 Maryland Saltwater Sportsman’s Annual Rockfish Tournament prize of $76,354 on his pride and joy “Leeway”, a 30 ft. Pursuit fishing boat. He also loved Tuna and Marlin Fishing on the ocean.

His son Brian’s favorite fishing story was when they hooked a 275 lb. tuna off the coast of Ocean City. After almost 2 hours of fighting the fish, Brian became so tired that he had to give the rod to his Dad for help. After 20 minutes, Lee’s implanted defibrillator went off twice while he was fighting the fish. Another angler took over from Lee and Brian wanted to cut the line. But Lee insisted that they catch the fish, and he was ok. Lee’s defibrillator went a third time bringing him to his knees and again he yelled “get the fish”. After the fourth jolt from the defibrillator Brian cut the line and they called the Coast Guard. They were 30 miles off the coast and Coast Guard Medics met them about halfway in and boarded their boat to stabilize Lee as they made their way to Salisbury Regional Hospital. Luckily, Lee was okay. Brian is glad the story is “We lost the Monster Tuna but kept my Dad” and not vice versa. Lee later admitted that had forgotten to bring his heart medicine on that trip.

Lee also studied and became a Freemason, as was his father, at the Annapolis Masonic Lodge. He was a member of the Annapolis Yacht Club for many years getting one of the first vanity tags AYC 0016. He was a strong member and Officer for years at the Annapolis Maryland Saltwater Sportfishing Association, driving with their vanity plate SSA 0036. Finally, Lee was a World Traveler and enjoyed visiting many parts of the world with his family and friends.

Lee was loved and respected by many for his kindness, generosity, competence, and integrity. He will be missed. In lieu of flowers, he would suggest “Pay it Forward.”

A visitation for Lee will be held Monday, November 11, 2024 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 at John M. Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester Street Annapolis, Maryland 21401. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 11:00 AM in the Funeral Home Chapel. Interment St. Anne's Cemetery.