Councilman, benefactor Warren Sloan passes away

Monongah councilman and former police chief Warren Sloan, who originated the Christmas in Monongah Toy Giveaway, passed away Saturday.

Warren Sloan

The Toy Giveaway began in the 1970s when Warren would leave packages on doorsteps with a note that said "Robin Hood was here."

It began with 25 families and in four years grew to 150 families.

It morphed into the public Robin Hood Project and eventually the Christmas in Monongah Toy Giveaway sponsored by Monongah Family Fish Day organizers and brothers Dave and Warren Sloan, both living in Monongah.

Warren Sloan was the owner of E&M Auto on Lyndon Avenue. He started the company in 1996.

Warren cast the only “no” vote when Monongah Town Council approved the demolition of the town jail which had been used for a storage place, but fell into disrepair.  He wanted to save the building for its historical value.

Last year he pushed for a skate park to be built on the former Monongah High property for the town’s children, raising the first $5,000 himself.

Monongah resident Phillip Rush wrote:

“The Town lost a very important person yesterday. A man who did a lot for this town even though he didn't get credit for a lot of it.  He will be missed by many. RIP, Warren Sloan.”

Teena Field Ailstock, who with Valerie Vandetta Aldridge is helping Susan Sanders with the Monongah Christmas street lights fundraising, wrote:

“Great person. The first to welcome our family into Monongah 40 years ago and still kind until the day he went to meet the Lord.”

Warren’s obituary:

Warren B.F. Sloan, 77, of Monongah, passed from this life Saturday (May 21, 2016) at the Louis A. Johnson V.A. Medical Center after a valiant two-year battle with lung cancer.

He was born in Fairmont on Sept. 22, 1938, a son of the late Franklin "Bud" and Vivian R. Marsh Sloan.

Warren was Methodist by faith. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Chilton.

He served as chief of police in both Monongah and Rivesville and was inducted into the National Policeman Hall of Fame.

He currently was serving as a councilman for the City of Monongah.

He has always been a very active person. He was involved in a number of vocations including his construction company, All State Construction, and selling new and used cars at Wilson Ford and on his own lot.

With his brother Dave, he co-founded the "Kids Fishing Day" and the "Toy Giveaway" programs in Monongah.

He was also a former member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

He enjoyed flea markets and yard sales, riding his motorcycles, gardening and cookouts.

Mr. Sloan is survived by his companion of 17 years, Sheila Mills; four children, Randy Carpenter of Monongah, Warren R. (Kathy) Sloan of Conway, South Carolina, Joeline (Randy) Swann of Rivesville and Lark (Tom) Dunbar of Rivesville; two brothers, David (Nancy) Sloan of Monongah and Ron Sloan of St. Mary's; one sister, Florence "Flo" Cline of White Hall; one uncle, David Lee Marsh; several nieces and nephews and his special caregiver Crystal Carpenter.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Benny W. Barth; and three brothers, Bob, Chuck and Claude Sloan.

Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 11 a.m. till 12:30 p.m. Thursday at the Frey Home For Funerals (Addition Chapel A), 320 Madison St., Fairmont. Services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home with the Rev. Bill Preston officiating. Interment will follow at the West Virginia National Cemetery with full military honors.

Condolences may be sent to the family at fhff320@aol.com .

Published in Times West Virginian