Arthur Lee ""Coach"" Sleight

FUNERAL HOME

Modetz Funeral Home - Silverbell Chapel

100 East Silverbell Road

Orion, Michigan

Arthur Sleight Obituary

SLEIGHT, ARTHUR LEE "COACH"; age 60; of Lake Orion; died suddenly at home July 3, 2013. He leaves behind his beloved wife Phyllis; daughter, Brandi and her husband Steve; his first grandchild Elijah is expected in the next two weeks; he was the dear brother of Ron and his wife Jan Sleight of Beaverton. He was predeceased by his parents George and Lottie; as well his brother Freddie of Caro. He is survived by many nieces, nephews and brother and sisters-in-law. Arthur was a lifelong coach and player of football for many local schools and teams and at all levels. He dedicated more than 25 years to this passion. Art's Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at 11 a.m. with a pre-service viewing at 10 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1610 Brewster Rd., Rochester Hills. The family will receive friends Sunday 5 to 8 p.m. and Monday 2 to 8 p.m. at the Modetz Funeral Home, 100 E. Silverbell Rd. , Orion. In lieu of flowers please send memorials to the University of Wisconsin Hospital, Kidney Transplants, 600 Highland Ave., H4/810, Madison, WI 53792 or Children's Diabetes Foundation, 4380 S. Syracuse St., Suite 430, Denver, CO 80237. Online guestbook
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Published by The Oakland Press from Jul. 6 to Jul. 7, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Arthur Sleight

5 Entries

Denise Chapin O'Brien

September 14, 2013

Art was a classmate at Caro High School - saw him at the 40th reunion - I was so glad we had a chance to reconnect then. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Justin Chaiser

July 11, 2013

-Though I am struck now at the gross inadequacies of words to fully express how I feel. I offer these words as they are, weak though sincere, as my condolences, my tribute, and finally my farewell...

In Remembrance and Appreciation of the Man I knew as Coach Sleight

There are men that have been great influences in my life, and while I can say that Coach Sleight was one of those men, closer to the truth is that Art Sleight was like a father to me. I feel fortunate, and have drawn some solace knowing that I expressed exactly that to him the last time we saw one another. Even if I cared to try, I simply can summon no negative memories of the man. Which is not to say that he was without flaws, though I loved him as much for those as for any one of his many noble traits. He will always stand in my mind as one of the finest examples of a friend, a coach, and a mentor I have ever known.
In my youth I was fortunate to have the Sleight Family in my life. I can remember being treated with warmth and affection whenever I was with them, which was often for a period of years while Brandi was growing up. They left no doubt that I was one of their own, and they helped me to understand that love should be expressed unselfishly and without fear. They set an example by being hard working, dedicated, and loyal at an uncommonly high level. In my adult life, when I perhaps was not such a prize to claim and was certainly not at my best, Phyllis would make a point to introduce herself as my Mother whenever she saw me in public or in our working lives. She was always proud of me, even when I had little pride in myself. When I look back, I see now that Brandi and Phyllis were always there for me. To say I am grateful for the love they have shown me would be to make small of how I feel about them. I am so very sorry for their loss, and that I cannot be there for them now.
I would be seriously remiss if I were to not mention somewhere in these thoughts the game of football: For as long as I knew Coach Sleight, a deep and relentless passion for the game permeated his life. I played eight seasons and never had a chance to play for Coach Sleight, but I can remember countless dinners with him and my Father discussing all the aspects of the game, only to spontaneously jump to their feet to enact the finer points of line technique right there in my mothers kitchen. He taught me to snap the football on a summer day in his yard, but more importantly he passed on to me some of his passion for the game. I have discovered this to be one of the greatest gifts he gave me, for it is clear to me now that a life lived without passion is bereft of joy.

Today I feel far flung, isolated from my family and all those I have known and loved and that have loved me. But though I have no talent for keeping in touch, the years and the distance did not spare me the sense of great loss upon hearing about his passing, nor have they eroded the great love and respect I have for Art Sleight. The world will ever be a different place to me knowing he is gone now, but I know that the lives he touched, including mine, are all better for having known him. My thoughts and prayers have been these days with his Family and his Friends whom have lost such a good and honorable man. I Will Miss Him.
-Sincerely
Justin L. Chaiser

Cherie Carpenter

July 7, 2013

Art was always very nice the few times I met him. We always had great conversations and laughs....He will be deeply missed...

July 7, 2013

Phyllis,Brandi and Steve and Eli,
Dan and I are still in shock. As we left the funeral home tonight, we talked about him all the way home. Art called Dan two days before he died. They had a nice long talk. We are so very sorry to hear about his death. We will remember him always. Eli, your Grandpa was a very dear friend to me for over 36 years. We were very good car buddies. We even raced cars years ago. We will always remember his wonderful smile. He loved you and didn't even know you yet. Art was so anxious to meet you, he talked of you all the time................