Slim Lockerman

Born in Danville Virginia, Slim was a proud Virginian until he and his wife Ellen moved to Texas in 2020 to be closer to their daughters.

Slim and his father operated Lockerman Optical Co. in Danville, Va for 75 years. He fitted President Eisenhower’s glasses while serving at Walter Reed Army hospital during the Korean War. He maintained his Optician’s license even after retirement and, with the license number of 102, was one of the oldest Opticians in the state of Virginia.

He loved boating and being on the water. Slim served in the Coast Guard Auxiliary for 50 years where he taught boating safety and patrolled on Smith Mountain Lake in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

He started flying airplanes at a young age and got his pilot’s license at 17 years old. In later years, he and his wife commuted to work from their home at Smith Mountain Lake to their offices in Danville. He enjoyed weekend adventures in the plane up and down the east coast - fresh fish in Cape Hatteras, NC, crab cakes in Annapolis, Md…

He was an avid shooter, a member of the shooting team at the University of Georgia. It was a passion he passed to both daughters.

On any given Saturday evening, it wasn’t unusual to find he and his wife dancing around the living room to the sounds of Big Band music.

Nature fascinated him, he collected butterflies and moths - frequently getting up at 4a to go out and collect moths. One 2 week adventure to Costa Rica nearly cost he and his daughter their lives when they couldn’t contact their families!

Later in life, he would ‘kidnap’ his daughter-in-law for marathon shopping trips down unknown country roads in rural Virginia.

He was an ardent Georgia fan - GO DAWGS!!

His adventurous spirit will be missed by his friends and family.

Slim is survived by his wife Ellen; his daughters Liz Lockerman and her wife Sue Howard and Nancy Werra; grandson Jay Lockerman and his wife Sarah; and one great granddaughter Taylor Lockerman. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Richard and sister Bonnie Brown.

There will be a memorial service to celebrate Slim’s life at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, November 30, 2023, at Allen Family Funeral Options, officiated by Doug Freeman.  If you wish to join the service via webcast, please visit: http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/94955