Lonnie Clyde Sluss

Lonnie “Clyde” Sluss, age 97, of Morehead, KY, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at home in Cranston, KY, surrounded by family.

He was born May 10, 1927, in Cranston, KY, a son of the late Daniel Boone Sluss and Nora Ann McDaniel Sluss.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Glen Sluss, five sisters, Edna Blevins, Olive Sluss, infant Myrtle Sluss, Verna Caudill, Reba Todoroff and one grandson, Garrison Todd Cundiff. 

Clyde is survived by his wife of 73 years, Phyllis Ann Jenkins Sluss. One sister, Lyda White, Morehead, KY. Four daughters, Clyda Kathryn McGrath (Rob), Morehead, KY, Nora Jane Cundiff, Lexington, KY, Lisa Ann Goldsmith (Billy), Morehead, KY, Millie Allene Taylor, Morehead, KY. Seven grandchildren, Brandy McGrath Breeze (Dave) Morehead, KY, Faith Cundiff Grinstead (Josh) Winchester, KY, Carey McGrath Brown (Justin) Morehead, KY, Brittany Goldsmith McBroom (Nate), Roxboro, NC, Loni Sluss-Phillips (Ross), Jacksonville, NC, Boone Goldsmith (Andrea), Hustonville, KY, Michael Taylor (Jaclyn), Morehead, KY. Twelve great-grandchildren, Zayda Greene, Leyla Greene, Hadlee Brown, Ella Breeze, Finley Phillips, Quinn Brown, Sawyer Grinstead, Maverick Clyde Taylor, Marlee Rae Goldsmith, Nora Grace Grinstead, Jaxon Taylor and Baby McBroom coming in June. As well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Clyde was a member of New Hope Primitive Baptist Church. His love of God and his steadfast search for the truth were of utmost importance to him, as evidenced by his beautifully worn Bible where he spent many hours reading, searching, and enjoying the Word of God.

He was a veteran of the Korean War, proudly serving in the U.S. Army.  

Clyde was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He enjoyed family gatherings and especially listening to his daughters sing, watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren dance while he played the banjo and all the hugs and kisses he got. Telling stories and jokes came naturally to him. He loved to laugh, and he made many people laugh along with him. 

His first job was working on the railroad with his father. Before that, tagging alongside his older brother Glen, he developed an interest in engines, working on cars at the age of twelve which led to his occupation and opening his own business.  He did mechanic and body work. He worked thirteen years at Lewis Garage before opening Sluss Frame and Alignment, where he repaired all types of vehicles, mainly buses and coal buckets. He retired in 1991 and spent his remaining years in “the holler” he developed and made his home where family and friends loved to gather.  

His hobbies included trail-riding and training animals. He began as a young boy training calves to ride and later horses, mules, and donkeys. Over the years he won numerous ribbons and trophies participating in many mule and horse shows, including The Mule and Donkey Celebration in Shelbyville, Tennessee. He was also skilled at training prize-winning coon dogs and spent many nights enjoying coon-hunting with his huntin’ buddies.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 pm Sunday, May 19, 2024 at New Hope Primitive Baptist Church, Morehead, KY with Elder Noel Lee officiating.  

Burial will follow in the Cranston Cemetery.  

Full military rites will be conducted at the graveside by the Corbie Ellington American Legion Post No.126.  

Visitation at the Michael R. Gray Funeral Home in Morehead is after 5:00 pm Saturday and after 1:00 P.M. Sunday at the New Hope Primitive Baptist Church.

Pallbearers: Boone Goldsmith, Michael Taylor, Dave Breeze, Josh Grinstead, Justin Brown, Nate McBroom, Ross Phillips.  

Honorary Pallbearers: Grandchildren, Great-Grandchildren, Rob McGrath, Billy Goldsmith, Mark Taylor, Anthony Anderson, Donnie Oney, Joe Anderson, Ronnie Martin, Delmer Plank, and Bobby Blevins.

A special thank you to nurses Sam, Rachael and Leeann for being so compassionate and caring.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to St. Claire Hospice Services, 201 Lyons Ave. Morehead, KY 40351 and/or New Hope Primitive Baptist Church, c/o Teresa Helterbrand, 1055 Elk Lick Road, Morehead, Kentucky 40351.  

The Michael R. Gray Funeral Home, 808 Old Flemingsburg Road, Morehead, Kentucky 40351 is caring for all arrangements for Lonnie “Clyde” Sluss.