Darius, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at the age of 92 at St. Francis Hospital in Columbus, Georgia. Over the course of a 30-year Army career, he lived in many places including assignments in the United States, plus overseas assignments in Guam, Germany, and two tours in Vietnam. The recipient of many military honors, he was most proud of his Senior Aviator Badge.
During and after his military service, he attended Troy State University graduating summa cum laude for his bachelor’s degree. He also graduated with a master’s degree in counseling and human development.
Following his military career, Darius went on to a successful 16-year career at Columbus Technical Institute retiring as the vice president of Student Services. After a brief hiatus, he was appointed as a voter registrar for Lee County in Alabama. Darius was a 20+ year active member of the Ruritan Club of Bleeker and served for over two years as its president. His community service also included volunteering for the Juvenile Conference Committee (JCC).
In addition to his parents, Darius was preceded in death by six siblings including Vernon Slusher of Baltimore, MD; Holman Slusher of Boston, MA; Helen Schneider, Cecil Slusher and Jo Boxley of Cincinnati, OH; and Bruce Slusher of Columbia, SC.
Darius is survived by his wife of 66 years, Christine Slusher of Phenix City, AL; his two daughters Cynthia Stutzman (Bill) of Phenix City, and Ceci Shirley of Smiths Station, AL; four grandchildren Darius Nicholas Stutzman of Columbus, GA; Serena Welch (Paul) of Birmingham, AL; Charlotte Shirley of Ft. Collins, CO; and Derick Shirley (Karla) of Avon Lake, OH; great-grandson Chandler Stutzman of Atlanta, GA; and many other nieces and nephews and relatives in Germany.
The funeral service will be held Saturday, March 26th at 1000 am EDT at Saint Thomas Episcopal Church at 2100 Hilton Avenue in Columbus, GA. A reception will immediately follow. A graveside service with military honors will be held at 1230 at Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Phenix City (Highway 280/431).
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Saint Thomas Episcopal Church or to the American Heart Association.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shphenixcity.com for the Slusher family.
