Virgel Allen Slocum, 96, formerly of Hoyt, passed away on Wednesday, August 10, 2022 at the Mission Village Nursing Home in Horton.

He was born November 5, 1925 on the family farm in Mayetta, Kansas, the son of Samuel and Margaret "Nellie" (Lease) Slocum.

Virgel had worked for the Gas Company (Westar Energy) in Topeka for 36 years as a dispatcher and repairman.  He retired from Western Resources, Inc. (formerly Westar Energy) on June 1, 1988.

He married Opal Nadine Steward on November 6, 1972 in Topeka.  She preceded him in death on October 5, 2013.

Virgel's world was his family, Opal, music and cars.  He played music with his parents and siblings from a young age and worked on cars all his life.  He could fix just about anything.  He played in "The Get Togethers" with his brother Bob Slocum and nephew Mike Slocum.  Virgel played guitar, steel guitar, and the fiddle and he sang backup and solo.  When the group disbanded, Virgel and Bob played in several other bands in the area.  One of the highlights of playing was getting the opportunity to play for the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders in Kansas City.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Virginia "Bobbie" Hopper, his siblings, Tom, Clyde, Jim and Bob Slocum and sisters, Leona Bade and Lucille Crider, and a stepson, Randy Cahoon.

Survivors include a daughter, Tina Pebley (Ted), Council Bluffs, IA, a stepdaughter, Kathy Cahoon Knight, Hoyt, two grandchildren, Lance Schultz and Danette Henley, a great grandson, Logun Schultz, and several step-grandchildren and great grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, August 17 ^th at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hoyt.  Burial will follow in the Hoyt Cemetery.  Virgel will lie in state after 9:00 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home where family and friends will meet from 1:00 p.m. until service time at 2:00 p.m.  Memorials are suggested to Holton Community Hospital Hospice and may be sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 280, Hoyt, KS  66440.  On-line condolences may be made at chapeloaksfuneralhome.com.