Todd Slessman

Todd Lawrence Slessman, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Saturday, July 21, 2018.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, to graduates of The Ohio State University, Todd still found a way to pull for the football program in Tuscaloosa. This was a source of great concern for his family. This problem was compounded when he convinced his children, Megan and Tanner, to also pull for the school in Tuscaloosa. His brothers were not happy. As a child, Todd had dreams of playing football for the Dallas Cowboys and asked his parents to change his name to “Moose” Slessman. He was five years old. Despite two stellar seasons with the Cahaba Black Knights in the 1970’s, he never carried out his dream of playing professional football.

His next dream was playing tennis at the US Open. His work at Gresham Middle School was legendary. He was 13 years old. Despite a lengthy, one-year tennis career, Todd never made it to the US Open. Todd had the ultimate drive to be at “the top”, and this was what his family loved about him. Throughout his life, he would strive to excel at every task that he would undertake. Upon graduating Shades Valley High School, Todd worked in the restaurant industry, opened his own printing company, and spent the last 20 years in operations with Krispy Kreme.

Aside from his love for his family, Todd always had a special place in his heart for Christmas, cats, and a good grilled cheese sandwich. He was blessed with a quick wit, an easy-going attitude, and an ability to easily make friends with everyone that he met. He will be remembered as an incredibly loving father, an amazing brother, and a loyal friend to all the people that had the privilege of meeting him. Todd will be truly missed. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lois Slessman.

Todd is survived by his daughter, Megan (Newman) Slessman; his son, Tanner (Bone Man) Slessman; family friend, Rebecca Travis, of Gardendale, Alabama; and brothers, David Slessman and Tim Slessman, of Nashville, Tennessee.

The family will have a private service at a later date, and they thank everyone for their kind prayers during this difficult time.