James Arthur Salmon

1935 - 2025

James Arthur Salmon August 19, 1935 - December 19, 2025 James Arthur Salmon (Jim) passed away peacefully at his home in Jacksboro on December 19 and will be missed by the family and many co-workers and friends who lovingly called him Mr. Jim. Jim was born on August 19, 1935, in Taft, Texas, to his father, Jeff Salmon, and mother, Irene Beasley Salmon.

A graduate of Beeville High School in 1953, Jim earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education in 1960 and Master of Science degree in Agricultural Education and School Administration in 1961 from Texas A&M University. He earned his Ph.D. in Community College Administration from The University of Texas in 1975. While he was proud of both institutions, he would readily tell you, "once an Aggie, first and foremost, always an Aggie."

While a student at Texas A&M, Jim was initiated as an Entered Apprentice into Masonic Lodge Sul Ross No. 1300, AF&AM, on October 28, 1958; was passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on August 27, 1959; and raised to the degree of Master Mason on November 5, 1959. In 1971, in Austin, he joined the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. Masonic work was very important to him. The only group he joined, other than the church (Jacksboro Parish) when he moved to Jacksboro, was the local Fort Richardson Masonic Lodge. He remained active there until he no longer physically could but continued to appreciate the friends he made there.

Jim's various employments were a testament to his belief in helping others achieve their dreams and goals. He was a junior science teacher in Woodsboro and a counselor at Travis High School in Austin. He served as a counselor and Director of Testing and Evaluation at the Gary Job Corps Center in San Marcos. While at the Texas Education Agency (TEA), he served as a guidance consultant to help school districts develop and implement Developmental Guidance Plans to ensure a full array of counseling services to all students. Following that assignment at TEA, he played a major leadership role in developing and implementing the Texas Teachers Alternative Certification Program.

Jim married Martha Hackley in 1978. They lived in his beloved Austin until 2010, when they moved to Jacksboro after they had both retired. Once in Jacksboro, he was able to acquire land and establish his own retreat, the End-Of-The-Trail Ranch, where he spent many hours clearing the land and improving it for those who would enjoy it then and long after. In addition to it being a place to work, play, relax, and hunt, he was proud to host three retired longhorns from the Fort Worth Herd in the Stockyards.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Jeff Salmon and Irene Beasley Beckelhymer; his brother, Edward Salmon, and his daughter, Christine Salmon Gauthier. He is survived by his wife, Martha; three sons, Troy Salmon, Jeff Salmon, and Scott Salmon, and son-in-law, Dr. Stephen Gauthier. Further, he is survived by 13 grandchildren who include Henry James Gauthier, William Parker Gauthier, Emma Grace Gauthier, Maggie Salmon, Katie Salmon Boyd, Eric Salmon, Jenny Salmon Midgit, Elijah Salmon, Georgia Salmon, Amanda Salmon, Troy Christopher Salmon, Nick Salmon, and Jamie Salmon Colburn. Additionally, there are nine great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on December 22, 2025, at Coker Funeral Home in Jacksboro, Texas, followed by a burial at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. before the service at Coker Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:

Jacksboro Education Foundation

750 West Belknap

Jacksboro, Texas 76458

Or

Concerned Citizens Center

400 East Pine Street

Jacksboro, Texas 76458