ELMER CLIFFORD SLUSS

Gary High School  1950

79 of Woodbridge passed away on January 12, 2013.
He was born January 30, 1933 to the late Frank Nathan and Ara Belle Sluss of Mudfork, Virginia - the sixth of nine children. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter,Valerie Gay Sluss; and a son,Clifford Dale Sluss. 

He retired from the US Air Force in October 1, 1971. While in the Air Force, he received many awards and recognitions for meritorious service as a Detachment Commander. One of his most distinguished awards was the “Air Force Commendation Medal” for outstanding supervisory and leadership abilities, as well as his professionalism and devotion to duty. 

Upon retiring from the Air Force, he was employed by the Department of the Army at Fort Belvoir. In recognition of exemplary service to the U.S. Army Mobility Equipment Research and DevelopmentCenter, he received the GeliniMedal. The Gelini Medal is awarded to individuals deemed to have made the most outstanding contribution in technical support of the U.S. Army. He received theGelini Medal for technical support of the Army’s camouflage program. His work with laser research and radar diagnostics and spectralmeasurements provided essential data for scientific analysis and decision making. 

He was a faithful congregant of the Church of the Nazarene since 1965, both in Woodbridge andManassas. Using his diverse talents, he served the church in many capacities and received the Distinguished Service Award for outstanding lay service. Through his faith testimony, we know he has met his Savior. 
He is survived by his loving wife,Joan Sylvia Rose (Banks) Sluss; two daughters, Carolyn Joan(Sluss) Godbey and Lorraine Kay(Sluss) Frantz; one son, MarkNathan Sluss; four sisters, EdithBeavers, Janice Mahaffey, NaomiMurray, and Grace McGee; one brother, Randolph Sluss. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. 

Family and friends will be received at Church of the Nazarene, 14001Smoketown Road, Woodbridge VA 22191 on Sunday, January 20, 2013 from 5:00pm – 6:30pm, with a life celebration service following at 6:30pm. Interment will take place in Quantico National Cemetery, 18424 Joplin Road, Triangle VA 22172 on Monday, January 21, 2013 at 10:00am. Those who wish to join the funeral procession to the cemetery please meet at Mountcastle Funeral Home by 9am.