Major General (Ret.) Jerald David “Jerry” Slack

STOUGHTON - Major General (Ret.) Jerald David “Jerry” Slack, USANG, passed away in his home on the evening of May 18, 2024, following a brief but courageous battle with cancer, holding his wife Sherill’s hand and surrounded by his children and grandchildren.

Jerry was born on Feb. 14, 1936, in Peoria, Ill., the first of four boys born to Lois and Clarence Slack. He graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, Ill., with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1959. On March 26, 1959, the day he finished his last exam, he married his high school sweetheart, Sherill Ann Cordts. After the wedding, Jerry and Sherill moved to Madison, Wis., to begin Jerry’s new position as a Civil Engineer with the State Highway Commission. Jerry’s civilian career progressed rapidly in parallel with his military career. He became registered in the State of Wisconsin as a professional engineer. From the Highway Commission, he went to the Bureau of Engineering, then transferred to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources where he advanced to the position of Chief Engineer, ultimately finishing his civilian career as the Administrator of the State of Wisconsin Division of Facilities Management.

General Slack proudly served his country for 37 years in the National Guard. He began his career with the Illinois Air National Guard in 1959 and subsequently transferred to the Wisconsin Air National Guard in 1961 where he was commissioned as an officer. In 1962 General Slack attended Air Force pilot training at Craig AFB in Selma, Ala., where he flew the T-37 and T-33 aircraft on his way to becoming a winged air force pilot. He next attended interceptor training in the F-102 at Perrin AFB in Denison, Texas, graduating in 1964 as a fighter pilot. He went on to fly F-89s and F-102s with the 176th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Truax Field, Madison, Wis. He conducted the air defense alert mission until 1974. In 1974 the F-102 was replaced with the O-2 forward air control aircraft and the unit transitioned to become the 176th Tactical Air Support Squadron where General Slack flew through 1979. His favorite memory of this period was his brother, Robert Slack, transferring from the Illinois Air National guard to fly with him in the 176th, a time which General Slack fondly recalled saying, “Not a lot of guys get to fly with their brother in the Air Force.” General Slack became the squadron commander in November of 1979 when the O-2 was replaced by the OA-37. In October of 1981 the unit converted to the A-10 and was redesignated as the 176th Tactical Fighter Squadron. General Slack took great pride in “turning the 176th back into a fighter squadron” and went on to fly the A-10 until 1987. After 3,200 hours as a command pilot he decided to “let the young pilots takeover” and hang up flying. Gov. Tommy Thompson appointed General Slack Adjutant General of the state of Wisconsin in 1989. In this role he oversaw over 12,300 Wisconsin Guardsmen in their state and federal mission. His primary objective as the Adjutant General was to integrate the Wisconsin National Guard more closely into the federal mission. During his tenure as Adjutant General his success in this effort was clearly demonstrated by deployments in Desert Storm, Southern and Northern Watch, and Operation Deny Flight. General Slack was extremely proud of the role the Wisconsin National Guard played in these conflicts as with subsequent deployments in support of the war on terror following his retirement in 1996. These deployments included the service of both his son, Major John Slack, and his grandson, Lt. Jake Lenz, who is going to carry on the general’s legacy by working towards flying with the 176th Fighter Squadron.

Following his retirement Jerry set his focus on a new career as Grandpa Jerry. In 1994 his first grandson, Everett Lenz, was born followed by Olivia Lenz in 1997, Isabella Lenz in 1999, Jake Lenz in 2001, Wyatt Slack in 2003, and finally Cole Slack in 2007. In 2000 Jerry built his dream home on the Yahara River south of Stoughton. All six of Jerry’s grandchildren lived within a few miles of him and enjoyed nothing more than spending time at Grandma and Grandpa’s. Jerry had a unique gift of connecting with the kids and of teaching them work ethic and life skills while making it seem like they were just having fun. His grandsons all learned lawn maintenance, basic carpentry and home repair skills, how to drive trucks and tractors, and how to always remember to take a break for one of Grandma’s big lunches or to grab an ice-cold root beer out of the garage fridge. Jerry’s granddaughters always liked to visit on Saturday mornings where they knew they would be greeted by Grandma and Grandpa as if they had not seen them in months, anxious to hear all the details about their week at school, and knowing that if you timed it right Grandpa would insist on making a pancake breakfast. Jerry was always supportive and encouraging but never pushing. Jerry always truly listened to the kids and helped them all believe they could be anything they chose to be in life.

Jerry is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 65 years, Sherill Cordt Slack; daughters, Ann Slack (Tom Rice) and Sara Lenz (Dan Lenz); grandchildren, Everett Lenz (Anna Miller), Olivia Lenz (Christopher Erb), Isabella Lenz, Jake Lenz (Arianna Felland), Wyatt Slack and Cole Slack; and brothers, Jim Slack, Robert Slack (Renee) and Steven Slack (Ellen). Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Lois and Clarence Slack; his son, John Cordts Slack; and his grandson, Calvin Slack Lenz.

Jerry was a devoted, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend that will be deeply missed by many. A memorial service, celebrating the wonderful life of Jerry will be held at the FIRST UNITARIAN SOCIETY, 900 University Bay Drive, Madison, Wis., at 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, 2024.

Memorials may be made to John Cordts Slack Memorial Scholarship Fund #112548266 to: UW Foundation, U.S. Bank Lockbox #78807, Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420