Jerry Norval Slack's Obituary
Jerry Slack, age 83, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully at his home on January 12, 2025.
Born on April 7, 1942, in Tulsa, Jerry was the son of James and Lucille (Brewer) Slack. He grew up in Tulsa and graduated from Central High School with the Class of 1960. He spent his early years working as a caddy at both Tulsa Country Club and Southern Hills Country Club, experiences that helped spark his passion for golf and design. Jerry earned a BA at Oklahoma State University where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and played with the Cowboys as a walk-on to the golf team. From there he went on to receive his master's degree in Regional & City Planning from the University of Oklahoma. After building a solid planning career in OKC, St. Louis, Nashville & Lake Tahoe he focused on pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming a golf course designer. He completed a special golf course design program at Harvard University after which he joined Ochsner-Hare & Hare, a prominent landscape architecture and planning firm in Kansas City. From there he trained under renowned golf course designer Don Sechrest. Jerry finally brought his lifelong dream to fruition when he launched his own golf course design and land planning firm in Tulsa in the early '90s.
In 1990, Jerry married Anita Bahle on May 19 at First United Methodist Church in Tulsa. They shared a life full of adventure, travel, and mutual interests and together developed their business. Jerry built golf courses in several states across the country while earning national recognition and various awards. He was most proud of a golf course he designed in northwestern Iowa called The Ridge Golf Club along with its sidekick 'Lil Wispy.
Jerry recognized the importance of utilizing one's abilities towards civic duty and involvement. He contributed greatly to the First Tee project at Mohawk Park Golf Course. For decades he offered much shoulder and support to several FOB. And Jerry was instrumental in getting Driller Stadium moved from the fairgrounds to the historic Greenwood District in downtown Tulsa. One day while driving on the freeway loop north of where the stadium now sits, Jerry noticed what was then an empty grassy lot which he immediately recognized as the perfect setting and location for the ballpark. In coordination with others he drew up an urban concept plan which he presented to community leaders and used in a years-long tenacious effort to help build political will to bring about the move.
Jerry never wanted to retire and never quit pursuing projects. He was easygoing, friendly, endlessly interesting and could talk thoughtfully about many subjects. He loved the outdoors, growing tomatoes and all animals especially his treasured cats.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Anita Bahle; his son, David Slack; two granddaughters, Dylanne and Marleigh; his sister, Nakita Moffitt (Lyle); and several very special nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Lucille Slack.
Memorial donations may be made to The Humane Society, Lustgarten Foundation, or John 3:16 Mission.
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