Donald C. Salter

Donald Calvin Salter was born December 23rd in Hartford, Connecticut to Horace and Edith Christian Wickett Salter. Memorial services will be held on Thursday at 10:00 am at St Paul's Methodist Church, Amarillo, Texas. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Cox Funeral Home. Dad always wanted to fly, at a young age and unbeknownst to his parents, he began to save his errand money for private flying lessons. At age 16, he invited them to watch from their front porch as he made his first solo flight. It would be a year later before he would be allowed to join in the service to our country as he enlisted in the Army Air Corp. He trained to become a pilot at several air bases around the country and achieved the highest rank as a cadet. His last station was at Amarillo Air Force Base where in 1946, the war ended, along with his career. Pilots were no longer needed and he never flew again. While stationed in Amarillo, he met the young woman who would become his wife, Mary Jo Knox of Happy, Texas. They were married on January 6, 1946 and began their family here, raising four children. Don is survived by Mary Jo, his daughters Donna and husband Gene Dougherty of Amarillo, Robin and husband Chip Polk of Lubbock, Kim and husband Ray Winsor of Eagle, CO, one son, Scott and his wife Kim of Amarillo. In addition, his grandchildren, Jordan and Cassie Polk, Jency and Thomas Anciso, Aaron and Mallori Brown, Darci Dougherty, Jake Dougherty, Raymond and Kristina Winsor, Matthew Winsor, Ashley Winsor, Mike and Brier L'Esperance and Payne Salter. Also surviving are five great grandchildren, Nixon and Phoenix Polk, Jaxon Brown, Jessie Winsor and Elly L'Esperance and two sisters, Marge Gleason and Thelma Illig of Springfield, Massachusetts, along with numerous nieces and nephews in Texas, Arkansas, Florida and Massachusetts. Dad was a thirty nine year employee at Pantex, retiring in 1992. Additionally, he spent several years as an instructor for the Sheetmetal Trades Union at TSTI. He and Mary Jo were charter members of Forest Hill United Methodist Church and were currently members of Lake Tanglewood Community Church. He was a member of the BMW Cyclists Club, Metal Trades Union and the Iron Butt Riders Assn. Dad loved America and logged over 150,000 miles on the back of three different BMW motorcycles, crisscrossing the land from California to Pennsylvania, South Texas to Canada. He was a proud participant in the Veteran's Memorial Motorcycle ride until his deteriorating health prevented it. One of his greatest accomplishments was finishing the Iron Butt ride at the age of 85, having ridden over 1500 miles in 36 hours, the second oldest person on record to have done so...along with Scott and grandson Payne, the youngest passenger rider on record to have completed the ride. The trip included Washington DC, the Outer Banks, down the eastern seaboard down to Boca Raton, Florida, up the Alligator Alley to the Gulf Coast back to Texas. The entire trip lasted thirteen days logging over 5600 miles. "Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth and danced the skies on laughter silvered wings, sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth of sunsplit clouds. And, while silent lifting mind I've trod the high untrespassed sanctity of space, put out my hand, and touched the face of God." (J.G.Magee) After battling cancer for eleven months, it is with joy that we know Dad has been set free to fly once more . He leaves us a legacy of love, loyalty, perseverance, honesty and hard work. He never shied away from the sword. Many thanks for the numerous prayers offered on behalf of our family and for the comfort and care of Hospice of the Southwest. The Salter Family request Memorials be sent to Hospice of the Southwest. "FLY AWAY DAD!"

Visitation Schedule

Cox Funeral Home 4180 Canyon Drive Amarillo, TX 79109 Wednesday, June 11, 2014 6;00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.

Service Schedule

Church Saint Paul United Methodist Church 4317 I-40 Wesr Amarillo, TX 79106 Thursday, June 12, 2014 10:00 a.m.

Burial Schedule

Memorial Park Cemetery 6969 Interstate 40 Amarillo , TX

Memorial Contributions

Hospice Of The Southwest Amarillo, TX