Francis Slider

Francis David Slider, known to friends as Frank, passed away on September 30, 2026. Frank was loved by all who knew him. He was born on October 18, 1954, to Jack Wayne and Norma Jean Slider (Hanlin) in New Martinsville, West Virginia. He grew up in Friendly alongside his beloved sister Jackque (Jackie) Fowles where he declared himself sheriff of Friendly Hill at age 7. He graduated from Sistersville High School in 1972 and West Virginia University in 1976 with a degree in Political Science.

He returned to Sistersville, WV where he worked for and retired from Alleghany Power, spending 32 years as a Class A Lineman. He married Barbara Sarver in 1980 and was the proud father of two girls, Brianne Leigh Slider (Gungoll), now in Austin, Texas, and Cara Lynn Slider, now in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

The Slider family took root in Middlebourne and spent time every summer in Canaan Valley with family, a place he loved and wanted to live one day.

From the time he was young, Frank loved the outdoors; he spent as much time as possible outside, enjoying fishing, hiking, camping and identifying plants and animal scat. After retirement, he and Barb moved to Davis in 2016. Tucker County was the perfect spot for his retirement years, and he was proud to call Canaan Valley and West Virginia home. He loved introducing others to the beauty of the natural world and worked as a volunteer for Canaan Valley Wildlife Refuge and Canaan Valley State Park.

He was truly one of a kind. He was intelligent, curious, funny, steadfast in his support for noble causes and a fierce defender of democracy. Everyone who knows Frank has a Frank story and will inevitably recall a time he made them laugh hysterically. He is missed by his family very much, and his passing leaves an ache in their hearts, and a hole in the community of Davis and the surrounding areas.

He loved his brother-in-law, George Fowles and his sons-in-law, Wade Daniel Gungoll and Mark Allan Melvin. He adored his grandchildren Lilah Grace and Henry Emerson Gungoll and his grand dogs Tootsie, Clara, Fiona, Olive, Muffin and Honey. Besides his family, Frank leaves behind his cat Periwinkle, countless cousins, family and friends across the state and country.

We invite all friends and family to join us for a celebration of Frank's life at Blackwater Falls State Park Lodge, November 13, 2026. Please visit any time between 5-7pm and bring any photos of you and Frank to share with the family. We will cheers, drink some beers, cry, laugh, and remember Frank. In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree or making a donation in his honor to one of his favorite non-profit organizations, Voyageurs Wolf Project, Sierra Club or The Nature Conservancy (under "GIFT DESIGNATION," please click to designation your gift to West Virginia.)