John (Jack) Morris Sloan, tire industry magnate
John (Jack) Morris Sloan, 82, of Milton, passed away at his residence Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018. A true Beebe baby, he was delivered by James Beebe, MD Sept. 27, 1935, at Beebe Hospital in Lewes. He is the son of the late Samuel M. Sloan and Margie (Miller) Sloan Buhrman.
Jack graduated from Wicomico High School, Salisbury, Md., in 1953. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict after his freshman year in college. Following his service, he returned to the University of Delaware in 1956, and was a member of the Class of 1959, earning a bachelor’s degree in history. During his senior year at Delaware, he was elected president of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. He earned an MBA from Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio in 1984.
He spent his entire career in the tire industry. He was a very hard worker and driven to succeed. Two of his career high points include holding the position of vice president of sales and marketing for both Firestone and Uniroyal. A corporate gypsy, Jack and his family relocated several times. His first position following college was as a Goodyear store manager in Silver Spring, Md. He went on to work with Cooper Tire in Pittsburgh, Pa., Memphis, Tenn., and Atlanta, Ga.; Dayton Tire in Harrisburg, Pa. and Dayton, Ohio; Firestone Tire in Akron, Ohio, and Uniroyal Tire in Troy, Mich.
In January 2017, Jack returned to live in his birthplace of Sussex County. He enjoyed having many family members in close proximity for the first time in 50 years, visiting Pinewater Farm where he spent his earliest days and summer visits, and Rehoboth Beach where he met his wife, the former Jacqueline Evans, in the summer of 1958. His return to Saltwater Sussex also allowed him to relish many fresh crab cakes.
Jack greatly enjoyed playing tennis and possessed a very competitive streak on and off the court. Walking became his exercise and hobby in his later years. His serpentine walking pattern could be witnessed on the streets and alleys of the Paynter's Milll neighborhood several hours a day. He was astounded by the number of friendly people who would greet him on his saunters with "Hi, Jack!'
Inclement days found him wearing a path in his house. Another of his pleasures was reading, and he especially enjoyed World War II-era books and biographies.
Jack is survived by his daughters: Cynthia Sloan Thompson of Harbeson, Juliet Sloan of Milton and Patricia Sloan of Milton; his grandchildren: John Thompson and Luke Thompson, both of Rehoboth Beach, Bronwyn Beaver of Center Point, Texas, and Victoria Beaver of San Antonio, Texas; his stepmother, Amelie Sloan of Harbeson; his stepbrothers, Samuel Sloan of Annapolis, Md., and Henry Sloan of Harbeson; his stepsister, Sara Sloan Campbell of Tacoma, Wash.; and his two great-grandchildren.
Jack's family is comforted in the knowledge that to be absent from the body is to be present with The Lord.
A Celebration of Jack's Life will be held Saturday, Jan. 13, at 11 a.m., at St. George's Episcopal Chapel, 20274 Beaver Dam Road at Route 23, Harbeson, with interment in the adjacent church yard.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jack's name to the Christian Store House, 149 Mitchell St., Millsboro, DE 19966, or to Juust Sooup Ministry, 18483 Cool Springs Road, Milton, DE 19968.
Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Please visit Jack's Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guest book at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
