One moment of your time please. . . Duren Neil "Skip" Sleyster, 85, from the Blue Valley area of Kansas City, passed away unexpectedly on April 30, 2009. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with Masonic Services at 7:30 pm, on Monday, May 4, 2009, at Ararat Shrine Temple, 5100 Ararat Drive, Kansas City, Mo. 64129. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Blue Ridge at Gregory Boulevard, Kansas City, Mo. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials in Skip's honor to one of his favorite causes: Ararat Shrine Cornerstone Fund, the St. Vincent de Paul Diaper Patrol, or the Whatsoever Community Center. Skip was born March 29, 1924 in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Peter R. and Odell (Hagen) Sleyster. He graduated from East High School in 1943 and attended the University of Cincinnati. He served in the Army Air Forces from 1943 to 1946. As a child of the Great Depression, Skip began his work life by shining shoes at Union Station for five cents per pair. Following discharge from the Army, he purchased two tandem-axel dump trucks from the military, the first of their kind in Kansas City. He purchased his first piece of property in Kansas City in 1949 and his first salvage yard in 1951. From that time, it can be said that Skip was the quintessential entrepreneur, especially in the Blue Valley district of Kansas City. Besides real estate and salvage yards, Skip's businesses included Bishop Furniture Store, Centropolis Rock Quarry, an engine rebuilding shop, Millstone Lodge at the Lake of the Ozarks, the Superflea in the old Montgomery Ward building, and National Truck Parts and Equipment. In most recent years, his passion for Blue Valley led him to rally investors throughout the city to continue to revitalize the Leeds and Sheffield Industrial Districts. Skip worked the last day of his life at National Truck and delivering his last weekly article, "One Moment of Your Time Please" to the KANSAS CITY STAR. Skip was often referred to as the "Political Gadfly" of Kansas City. A passionate Democrat, he was the founder of the Harry S Truman Democratic Club. Most any Democratic candidates, especially the underdogs, could always count on his avid support. At rallies, doorsteps, stuffing fliers, and on the telephone, Skip was there. Skip was active in the betterment of Kansas City. He was instrumental in bringing Yellow Freight to their location at I-70 and I-435 in Kansas City, he donated property to Jackson County for the building of the Truman Sports Complex and he donated property for the building of Park Lane Medical Center in Raytown. He helped many individuals to get started in small businesses, often at his own expense. He was a board member for the Whatsoever Community Center, helping many underprivileged families in Blue Valley, and avidly supported the St. Vincent de Paul Diaper Patrol. He was also honored as a lieutenant governor of the American Royal Association and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. A very active Mason and Shriner, Skip was a 50-year member of the Kansas City Masonic Lodge #220 AF & AM, a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies Valley of Kansas City, and Ararat Shrine since 1962. At Ararat, Skip was a former member of the Director's Staff, a veteran member of the Motor Escort, a member of Jackson County Shrine Club, and the Provost. As a constant supporter of the Shrine, Skip would want to encourage men one last time to become Shriners by calling his friend Clarence Kirby at 816-506-2126. Skip was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Galen Neil Sleyster and Virland Duran Sleyster; and two brothers, Aldine Sleyster and Vernon Sleyster Woodring. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Shirley; four children and their spouses, Sherry and Steven Stewart, Diane and Bill Todd, Jackie and Tom Burke, and Kevin and Dianna Sleyster; two sisters and their spouses, Dorothy and Jack Sheller, and Aleeta and Tony Long (of Norwood, NC); ten grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, other relatives and many friends. Skip was a legend of his time and will be missed by all. You may send a message to the family or sign an on-line guest book via www.parklawnfunerals.com. Arrangements: Park Lawn Northland Chapel (816) 781-8228.
Published in Kansas City Star on 5/2/2009