Slaymaker named 'Citizen of the Year'
Former Peabody resident Ron Slaymaker was recently named Citizen of the Year by the Emporia Gazette.
In a special tabloid addition to the newspaper, several individuals were featured for their efforts in business, medicine, public service, education, religion, and other areas of service to the Emporia community.
Slaymaker was coach of the Emporia Hornets from 1970 to 1998 when he retired. His teams won 452 games, he was the 1986 NAIA Coach of the Year, and was inducted in the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.
However, Slaymaker notes for the Emporia Gazette that his most important objective was teaching and making a difference in the lives of his students and the community.
He has enjoyed hearing from former students and players. He feels those letters and calls "kept my batteries charged." They remind him that he made a difference with the youngsters in his charge.
Slaymaker faced a battle with prostate cancer eight years ago and made himself knowledgeable about the disease and its treatment.
Now, as a survivor, he is frank and open about his fight and willingly helps others who face the same situation. He continues to make a difference.
He also has stayed active as a volunteer since his retirement. This year he is chairman of the United Way of the Flint Hills, raising money to help the many organizations under the United Way umbrella.
Slaymaker and his wife Shirley are both Peabody natives and graduates of Peabody High School. His mother, Florence Slaymaker still lives in Peabody.
