James 'Jim' W. Salyer

James “Jim” W. Salyer was born on August 11, 1929 in Koshkonong, Missouri to Allen Earl and Allie O’Della (Bratcher) Salyer. He died on February 3, 2010 after a short battle with cancer.
Jim graduated from Mountain Grove High School in 1947. He was a crew chief on a B-36 bomber while serving in the United States Air Force from 1948 – 1953. He married Wanda Sims, (MGHS Class of 1946) on August 11, 1950. After completing his Master’s Degree in aquatic ecology at the University of Missouri in Columbia, he began a 43 year career on migratory water fowl (ducks and geese) and their aquatic habitats.
During his career he worked throughout the Midwest either working on or supervising many national wildlife refuges. In 1982, the Fish and Wildlife Service presented Jim with a promotion and reassignment opportunities, but he and Wanda chose retirement from the federal government instead of moving for the tenth time.
The family remained in Pierre, South Dakota and Jim began working with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. He was the Director of the South Dakota Division of Wildlife six years before he retired again.
Jim and Wanda moved back to Mountain Grove in 1988. Wanda preceded him in death in 1996 after 46 years of marriage. Together they raised a son, Mark, and a daughter, Marsha. Jim married Neva (Smyer) Bryant on May 7, 2005; they shared love, companionship, travels and many golf games.
Jim was a charter member of the Mountain Grove High School Alumni Memorial Foundation and had been instrumental in the building and management of the Alumni Park. He served as the foundation president or treasurer for several years. He also served as treasurer on the board of the Mtn. Grove High School Alumni Association. Jim also served as councilman for his ward, on the city park board, and on the YMCA board. He was a member of the Kiwanis and served as Chairman of the Board for Hi/Fy MO for several years and worked on many community and city projects. He was a very active member in the First Christian Church in Mtn. Grove.
Besides his parents and his first wife, Jim was preceded in death by his brother: Archie Salyer in 1996.
Jim is survived by his wife: Neva; son: Mark Salyer and his wife, Kelly, and their daughter, Sydney from Las Vegas, Nevada; daughter: Marsha Jorgensen with her husband: Kent and their son, Shawn and daughter, Lauren of Los Angeles, California; step-children from Neva: Kenneth Bryant and his wife, Jane, of Goodyear, Arizona, Andy Bryant and his wife, Nancy, of Portland, Oregon, Larry Bryant and his wife, Laura, of Afton, Missouri; four step-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren.


Funeral Service:
Monday, February 8, 10:00 AM in the First Christian Church in Mtn. Grove, Missouri.
Visitation:
Sunday, February 7, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM in the Craig-Hurtt Chapel.
Viewing Hours:

Sunday, February 7, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM in ther funeral home.
Burial:
Hillcrest Cemetery
Donations/Contributions:
Mtn. Grove Alumni Park Foundation - Mtn. Grove Alumni Association (Scholarships)- or the First Christian Church Building Fund c/o the funeral home.