DODGE CITY – Emmett "Jim" Salem, 81, died Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at the Kansas Soldiers Home, Halsey Hall, Ft. Dodge.

He was born July 3, 1939 at Cimarron, the son of Emmett and Jessie "Edith" (Sprott) Salem.  He was a graduate of Ingalls High School and served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany where he was an MP and later stationed in White Sands, New Mexico.  On September 24, 1961 he married Marvel Collins at Dodge City.  He spent most of his life as a rancher tending to cow/calf operations.  He lived for periods of time in Rapid City, South Dakota, Sturgis, South Dakota and Aurora, Colorado where he was the Maintenance Manager for ACME until retiring in 2007 when they returned to Dodge City.  He enjoyed woodworking and leatherworking.

Survivors include: his wife of 59 years, Marvel; their children, Tina Salem, Dodge City, Steven Salem and fiancé, Sandra Grizzel, Georgetown, Texas, Denise Quenzer and husband Eric, Centennial, Colorado and Paul Salem, Rapid City, South Dakota;  5 brothers and sisters, Sharon Hayes, Guymon, Oklahoma, Dennis Salem and wife Marlene, Spearville, Dayla Koehn, Wichita, Alex Salem and companion, Brenda Davis , Hanston and Tanya Bieber, Haysville, Kansas , 10 grandchildren, 2 great granddaughters and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 3 brothers-in-law, Eldon Hayes, Larry Koehn, and Ron Perkins.

Graveside services will be at 10:00 am Monday, June 28, 2021 at Greencrest Memorial Gardens, Dodge City, with Dr. Brian Kimball officiating and military honors by American Legion District 8 and Military Honors for the State of Kansas.  Visitation will be Sunday, June 27, 2021 from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City.

The family suggest donations to the Emmett "Jim" Salem memorial fund in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14 ^th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.