George "Wayne" Slape

Wayne Slape, longtime Coos Bay resident and founder of Slape Construction, passed away peacefully at home on July 1, 2025, leaving behind a lifetime of stories, laughter, and hard work that shaped all who knew him.

Born on November 3, 1935, in a tent house under the Oregon City bridge during the depths of the Great Depression, Wayne entered the world to Rouss "Jack" Slape and Clemie Slape (née Ravan). His early life was spent traveling across the western United States as his family built Assembly of God churches. This wandering upbringing filled his life with vivid memories of North Bend, Sutherland, and Estacada, Oregon; Sunnyside, Washington; Pocatello and Idaho Falls, Idaho; and Lemmon, South Dakota, among many other places. A gifted storyteller, Wayne spoke fondly of his childhood adventures – switching schools midyear, earning first chair trumpet despite working after class every day, and building a race car during shop class.

Throughout his life, he held a deep and abiding faith in God, which he shared with those around him through acts of kindness and love, including trips to El Salvador to help build missionary housing. A gentle and good man, Wayne never hesitated to lend a hand to a friend in need. Wayne loved to share stories of his life. If you ran into him, you wanted to make sure you were ready to stand for a good long while as one story would often lead to the next. Always one to enjoy a bit of fun, he never missed an opportunity to dance to live music. In his 60s, he took up motorcycle riding which brought him great joy, many new friends, and a hobby to share with his children and grandchildren.

Construction was woven into his life from childhood, beginning with church building as a boy alongside his father. In adulthood, he became the head construction millwright for the seven western states at US Plywood. In the 1960s, he attended Vickers Hydraulic School in Detroit, Michigan, later becoming master mechanic for MedCo in Medford, Oregon. Eventually, he built his own path, starting companies building fireplaces and homes in Gold Beach, Oregon, and Eureka, California. In his later years, Wayne settled in Coos Bay, where he built a respected construction company responsible for many of the industrial buildings, businesses, and homes that stand here today. Many of those in Coos County's construction industry have either worked with or for Wayne and will remember fondly his catchphrase, "What's the hold up?"

He shared two daughters, Ramona and Lynnett, with his first wife, Janice Lydvigsen, whom he met in first grade in Vernonia, Oregon. Years later he met and married his second wife, Vicki Senter, in Smith River, California. They had a daughter, Jordan, and son, Rouse. Wayne often took his children to his job sites, instilling in them the joy of building with their own hands. Wayne was endlessly proud of all his children and would often tear up when speaking of their accomplishments.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter Ramona Slape; his siblings: Imogene, Rosemary, Jackie, Jerry, Flora Mae, Phyllis, and Stephen; and his best friend Ozzie Grenade.

He is survived by his children: Lynnett (Jack) Serr, Jordan Slape, and Rouse Slape, along with two grandchildren Justin (Sierra) Serr, Andrew (Erin) Serr, and three great-grandchildren, Melody, Jacob, and baby Edward Wayne; his siblings Chuck (Sarah) Slape, Darrell (Marsha) Slape, and Sharon (Andy) Torbett; and many beloved friends who will carry his stories forward.

A memorial service will be held at Coos Bay Chapel on Saturday, July 19 at 4 p.m., immediately followed by a reception at the Coney Station. As was his wish, live music and dancing will commence at 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Slape Construction Voc/Tech Scholarship Fund at Marshfield High School. Donation checks can be sent to: Marshfield Scholarship Fund, PO Box 1541, Coos Bay, Oregon, 97420 Indicate Wayne Slape in the memo field and the family will be notified of any donations made in his name.