Fred and Gertie Sly

Fred and Gertie Sly

This article came out in The San Miguel Basin Forum 22 July 1971.

Fred Sly broke 90 last week. He had just completed nine decades of Living. Daughter, Ruth( Mrs James Johnson of Nucla) said, "He set ninety as his goal and he made it."

To mark those remarkable years in which it is said he never made an enemy, Fred Sly was feted at family birthday party in his honor complete with a cake bursting with light from 90 candles.

The family group was so large it had to stretch out into the side yard during the potluck dinner.

The nonagenarian was born 14 July 1881 in Juanita, Nebraska. The following year his family moved to Cripple Creek, Colorado and then to Pinon, Colorado two years later. His life was filled with cattle, blacksmithing and even some mining.

He and his wife, Gertrude, raised a family of seven girls and one boy. The first was Kathleen, (now Mrs. Kenneth Wares, of Liberal, Nebraska). Mrs Wares and her husband made it to the birthday celebration.

Others arriving were Mr. and Mrs. Ed Joseph (Irene), of Norwood; Mrs. and Mrs. Fred Becker (Violet) of Montrose; Mr. and Mrs. Steve Swain (Freda) of Paradox; Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Schoultz (Elva) of Casper, Wyoming; Mrs. Cloyce Stokes (Irva) of Alamosa, Colorado who arrived earlier in the week to extend her congratulations; Mr. and Mrs. James Johnson (Ruth) of Nucla and Mr. and Mrs. Chester Sly of denver were expected before the eventful day was through.

Sisters of both Fred and Gertrude, grandchildren and their spouses, nieces, nephews and other relatives to numerous to mention gather for this event.

The Sly family, first to settle on First Park has now grown to include 22 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. Love and unity play a great part in the family and Fred Says, "I wouldn't trade my kids for the world. Nothin's too good for Dad. They proved it by being with Dad on the momentous occasion.