Melvin Henry Slusher

Melvin Henry “Pete” Slusher passed away peacefully on April 1 at Arbor Terrace-Sudley Manor in Manassas. He was 92 years old. Mr. Slusher was born on April 11, 1927, in Manassas to Ray and Nellie Slusher. He graduated from Osbourn High School in 1944. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving in Germany at the end of World War II. He reenlisted in the Army in 1951 and served his country again in Korea during the Korean War. After serving in Korea, he was a member of the Virginia National Guard, where he attained the rank of Sergeant Major. Mr. Slusher met and married Mary Kate Crump of Macon, Georgia, on August 11, 1951. Upon his return from Korea in 1953, they moved to Manassas and made their lifelong home there. During the 1950s and 1960s, Mr. Slusher co-owned and operated Jim and Pete’s Appliance Sales and Service in Manassas. In 1968, Mr. Slusher went to work for Baco Mechanical Contractors as their primary HVAC mechanic. He retired from Baco in 1991. Mr. Slusher was a member of Manassas Baptist Church since 1939, and he was a member of VFW Post 7589 in Manassas since 1947. Mr. Slusher was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Nellie Slusher, his wife, Mary C. Slusher, and two brothers, Glenn and Stewart Slusher. Mr. Slusher is survived by three children, Rick and Virginia Slusher, Debra and Randy Dasher, and Stephanie Slusher-Vale, all of Manassas. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Jason Dasher of Jeffersonton, Jeremy Dasher of Manassas, Alyssa and Kevin Fenstermacher of Haymarket, Greg and Lauren Slusher of Holly Springs, NC, and nine great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Sophie Kidwell of Winchester and Beckie Thompson of Gainesville, and many nieces and nephews. A private burial was held on April 6 at Stonewall Memory Gardens in Manassas. A memorial service to celebrate Mr. Slusher’s life will be held at Manassas Baptist Church on Saturday, May 15, 2021 at 11:00 AM with the family receiving friends from 10:00 AM until service time. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations honoring Mr. Slusher be made to Manassas Baptist Church, 8730 Sudley Road, Manassas 20110, or to VFW Post 7589, P. O. Box 10206, Manassas 20108.

Melvin Henry Slusher

April 11, 1927 - April 1, 2020