Harry Alonzo Sly, Jr. was born on December 12, 1931, in Fairfax, the second son of LaVetah Grace (Schooler) and Harry A. Sly, Sr. He graduated from Fairfax High School in 1949, and attended the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, for two years. He entered the army and was stationed in Fort Meade, Maryland, during the Korean War. H.A. and Betty were united in marriage on December 14, 1952, in Fort Lee, New Jersey. After his service to his country, they returned to Fairfax to farm and raise their family. H.A. was a member of the Fairfax United Methodist Church, the Masonic Lodge and served on the Pleasant Ridge cemetery board.

H.A. passed away on November 20, 2020, at the age of 88, at Community Hospital-Fairfax, where he had many friends who cared for him with great compassion and gave him dignity. His family is grateful.

H.A. was a lifelong farmer with a purpose every day he was on this earth. He was determined to fulfill his purpose battling against health obstacles, until COVID-19 virus was more than he could overcome. He was ready to be with the Lord and be reunited with his beloved wife of 56 years, who passed before him in 2009. He always had livestock and until he became ill, he was overseeing his herd of cows and goats, helping harvest his crops and feeding an orphaned bottle calf. His mother passed away when he was six years old, which may be the reason he would always take time to nurture orphaned animals. He loved dogs and his two house cats. He has had many friends throughout the years, and often had nicknames for them as well as for his family members. His nickname from the great-grandkids was Grandpa Goat. He didn’t have time for hobbies and rarely left his hometown of Fairfax, but enjoyed Big Band Music and attended the Glenn Miller Festival several years. His favorite song was “Moonlight Serenade.” He liked to watch the Chiefs, went to sporting events his children and grandchildren were involved in and recently enjoyed many games his Fairfax great-grandkids were active in.

He was preceded in death by wife, Betty Lou (Flanagan); his brother, Jim, and his wife, Betty Jayne; and his parents and grandparents, who were influential in his life.

He is survived by his daughter, Stephanie (Jay) Smith, Fairfax; his two sons, Mark (Debbie) Sly, Fairfax, and David (Krista) Sly, Kansas City; seven grandchildren, Marisa (Chris) Hedlund, Fairfax, Matthew (Emily) Smith, Columbia, Tiffanie (Stephen) Gaines, Rock Port, Megan (Chris) Torres, St. Louis, Tony (Emily) Sly, Onaga, Kansas, Dylan Sly, Mission, Kansas, and Lacy (Corey) Chopra, Overland Park, Kansas; 14 great-grandchildren, Ian, Natalie, and Collin Hedlund, Amelia, Eliza, and Jase Torres, Asa Smith, Stevie and Markie Gaines, Hudson, Nola and Veda Sly, Avery and Presley Carlson; step great-grandchildren, Caitlyn and Camryn Chopra; his special childhood cousin, Rosalie Sly Seymour; and cousins, nieces and nephews from the Sly, Schooler, and Flanagan families. He will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by all.

Private service and interment will be held at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery near Fairfax, Missouri. Memorials in honor of H.A. may be sent to Fairfax Improvement Foundation (P.O. Box 31, Fairfax, MO 64446), United Methodist Church (P.O. Box 318, Fairfax, MO 64446), or Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Fairfax. To prevent further spread and suffering from this pandemic there will be a private graveside service for immediate family only, with plans for a memorial service that families from afar and friends can attend when it is safe to do so.