Michael Don Slack, 61, passed away Tuesday, January 30, 2018.

Mike was born December 23, 1956, to Donald B. and Mary Fowler Slack at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C., while his father was serving in the military. He grew up in Springfield, Missouri, attending Bingham Elementary School, Hickory Hills Junior High, and Glendale High School, where he was the first junior to hold the position of editor-in-chief of a high school newspaper in Springfield, a title reserved for seniors. Mike worked toward a bachelor's degree in journalism by taking courses at Southwest Missouri State University and Drury College.

He joined the Army in 1978, serving in Army Intelligence with the M.O.S. of Electronic Warfare/Signal Intelligence. Following training, he was stationed in Augsburg, Germany, where he enjoyed many journeys across Europe.

After being honorably discharged from the Army in 1981, Mike lived in New York City for a brief time and then returned home to Springfield, where he spent most of his life as a freelance writer. He earned the credential of Certified Professional Resume Writer from the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Career Coaches, and had written more than 20,000 resumes for job seekers over the course of his career. He was especially proud of the resumes he had composed for clients in high-level positions within government and industry. In addition, he wrote countless press releases, newspaper articles, and stories for magazines and websites on many subjects, enjoying the process of researching and interviewing for his projects.

Mike was united in marriage to Deborah Beaver February 17, 2009. For the last 10 years, he called Thayer, Missouri, home. Together they founded Ozarks Self-Reliant Living University, teaching gardening classes at churches in the area. Mike was a member of several Property Rights Coalitions and local groups to promote political awareness, and a member of the Missouri Organic Association. He spoke at several events related to organic gardening, sustainability, and political issues, and was a frequent guest on podcasts.

Mike was proud to be a member of MENSA the high IQ society, was a voracious reader, and could hold a conversation with you on nearly every topic imaginable (especially U.S. history and government issues). He loved a good debate, politics, Fox News, UFOs, conspiracy theories, hunting, fishing, comic books, superhero movies, and his beloved rescue dogs. He had bright blue eyes, a speaking voice that was perfect for radio, a singing voice that was never on key (but that didn't stop him from belting out tunes often), a highbrow sense of humor, and a generous heart.

He was preceded in death by his wife Debbie Slack, his father Don Slack, his aunt Kay Fowler Peele, and his grandparents – Homer Fowler, Blanche Darby Kelley, and Herbert and Louise Evans Slack.

He is survived by his mother Mary Fowler Slack, sister Jill Slack, and nephew Matthew Slack and wife Alexa, all of Springfield; cousins Todd Peele of Springfield and Shay Peele Luckie of Rogers, AR; step-daughters Carmen Smith of Gentry, AR, and Maria Palmer and husband Kyle Love of Steamboat Springs, CO; and step-grandchildren Cheyenne Smith and Laramie Smith of Gentry, AR.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 5, 2018, at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home in Springfield, followed by military honors and burial at Missouri Veterans Cemetery.

Donations may be made in Mike's name to the CoxHealth Foundation Cancer Endowment Fund.