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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Leslie Scruggs
Leslie
Scruggs
May 16, 1941 – January 27, 2026
Leslie Scruggs' Obituary
Leslie S. Scruggs, 84, of Manistee, passed away at home Tuesday, January 27, 2026, due to natural causes. He was born May 16, 1941, and was raised on the south side of Chicago.
Leslie studied at Northwestern University and The Art Institute of Chicago. He began woodworking in grammar school with furniture and then eventually turned to sculptures. He created his first sculpture in 1959 and often imagined his next creations while swimming. He was a true artist: a sculptor. After being featured in many galleries, such as Gruen Galleries, in Chicago, and others in Tucson and Manistee, he created his own gallery, The ArtDeck, in Manistee. He taught classes, conducted critiques, and showed his work numerous times at Art Snake Events. Often his shows included his 3D artwork and the 2D artwork of Jamie Bernard. One thing Leslie always advised was "don't do art unless you have to".
His inspiration for sculptures in alternative abstract form came from his time in Belize, serving in the Peace Corps, and becoming intrigued with how the locals made mahogany sailboats. Leslie primarily worked as a sculptor, but also as a mechanic for Ma Bell. He was active in peaceful protests and was passionate about staying up to date on current events.
Leslie had a unique sense of humor, his son didn't experience "dad jokes". When Rascal, his dog, was going to get bathed, he would always say he was going to get her detailed, he also called instructions "destructions", and a five dollar bill a "fever".
He loved chess, hiking, and riding his bike, especially around Michigan and in Tucson, Arizona. He was a voracious reader and loved books such as Ulysses, Catch 22, and true crime. A true card shark and worthy opponent in poker, and enjoyed rooting on his home team, the Chicago Bears, in football.
Leslie is survived by: his wife, Deborah Scruggs; son, Jake Scruggs; brother, Charlie Scruggs; and sister, Gail Lauryn.
You can see his work at The Michigan Legacy Art Park and on his website, www.lesliescruggs.com.
A Celebration of Life will be held on his birthday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Art Deck, 7187 Miller Road, Manistee, MI 49660.
Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Manistee, is in charge of arrangements.
www.oakgrovefh.com
Leslie studied at Northwestern University and The Art Institute of Chicago. He began woodworking in grammar school with furniture and then eventually turned to sculptures. He created his first sculpture in 1959 and often imagined his next creations while swimming. He was a true artist: a sculptor. After being featured in many galleries, such as Gruen Galleries, in Chicago, and others in Tucson and Manistee, he created his own gallery, The ArtDeck, in Manistee. He taught classes, conducted critiques, and showed his work numerous times at Art Snake Events. Often his shows included his 3D artwork and the 2D artwork of Jamie Bernard. One thing Leslie always advised was "don't do art unless you have to".
His inspiration for sculptures in alternative abstract form came from his time in Belize, serving in the Peace Corps, and becoming intrigued with how the locals made mahogany sailboats. Leslie primarily worked as a sculptor, but also as a mechanic for Ma Bell. He was active in peaceful protests and was passionate about staying up to date on current events.
Leslie had a unique sense of humor, his son didn't experience "dad jokes". When Rascal, his dog, was going to get bathed, he would always say he was going to get her detailed, he also called instructions "destructions", and a five dollar bill a "fever".
He loved chess, hiking, and riding his bike, especially around Michigan and in Tucson, Arizona. He was a voracious reader and loved books such as Ulysses, Catch 22, and true crime. A true card shark and worthy opponent in poker, and enjoyed rooting on his home team, the Chicago Bears, in football.
Leslie is survived by: his wife, Deborah Scruggs; son, Jake Scruggs; brother, Charlie Scruggs; and sister, Gail Lauryn.
You can see his work at The Michigan Legacy Art Park and on his website, www.lesliescruggs.com.
A Celebration of Life will be held on his birthday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Art Deck, 7187 Miller Road, Manistee, MI 49660.
Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Manistee, is in charge of arrangements.
www.oakgrovefh.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Leslie Scruggs, please visit our flower store.
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