Gregory Slanaker

Gregory Gene Slanaker passed away on November 11, 2021 at his home in Huntington Beach on a beautiful California Fall day. He was the beloved husband of the late Bridget Slanaker and the dearest father of his daughter Christy and her partner Greg Burns, and his son Kurt and his partner Maggie Ha with their son Dylan August, who’s Greg’s sole grandchild.

Greg was the cherished son, and eldest of five children, of the late Gene and Bernice Slanaker who raised him in their suburban Michigan home. His siblings include his brothers Michael (Gail), Patrick and Trace (Deb), his sister Holly (Paul) Buehler and his late sister Christy Eicholtz. 
 
Born on May 15, 1949, in Detroit, Michigan where he grew up in the suburb of Westland, Greg graduated from Bentley High School in Livonia and quickly realized that there was a professional path for him in the sales industry. Growing up a true son of a MidWest family, he understood the importance of hard work and core values that were seen throughout his professional and personal life until the end.

He began his sales career at Kinney Shoes but quickly realized there was a greater calling for him in warmer weather and bigger business. In 1976, he met Bridget Peggy, his beloved wife who forever changed his life, right before he decided to pack his belongings and head west with his immaculate Triumph motorcycle in 1977. She thankfully followed soon after as she knew Greg was it, he was to be her husband.

Greg and Bridget quickly found a new home in Southern California, specifically Huntington Beach, which is where they were determined to raise their family and make a life of their own. His successful career in consumer electronics saw him representing the likes of Sanyo Fisher, Norcent Technology, Hitachi and most recently with Axess Products, but he always maintained his independence with Slanaker Enterprises and the appeal of entrepreneurship.

Through his work and as an avid travelin’ man, Greg knew how to vacation and found every excuse to get on a plane and get on the road. He took his family to many of our great states, was active in Boy Scouts with Kurt and Girl Scouts with Christy but found most joy and fulfillment in turning sun-baked red during their many trips to Hawaii. While he might have been just a city boy originally, he could be seen every weekend dominating on the softball diamond, refereeing his kids soccer games, or forever imbibing with friends and family at one of his favorite spots, but Greg always stayed true to his roots in supporting his Detroit teams… GO BLUE!

Greg will be loved and remembered by his family, friends and colleagues as someone who was selfless, compassionate, caring and truly full of life.
 
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gordie Howe Foundation in tribute to Greg’s lifelong passion for sports and providing the opportunity for youth to play sports. To make a donation, donate online at https://howefoundation.com/

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