Jim was born May 9, 1948, in Maryville, Missouri, to James and Shirley Salmond. He grew up as the oldest of four brothers on a farm east of Tarkio, Missouri. Jim regaled his children and grandchildren with the tales of his youth: taking care of livestock, attending a one-room schoolhouse, and rolling tires down Main Street. During the pandemic, he started his “podcast” to talk about his life growing up, recording videos to send to his family.

After graduating from Tarkio High School, Jim moved to the big city of Columbia, Missouri, where he studied math education at the University of Missouri, and met Mary Bouckaert from Affton, Missouri. The Vietnam War began during his sophomore year at college and he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served for four years as an electronic technician. During his time away, he and Mary sent each other love letters in the form of recorded cassettes, keeping the romance alive until Jim could return and get down on one knee. He later returned to Mizzou to finish his degree in 1974. Jim later earned his MBA from Rockhurst College in 1988.

Jim and Mary were married on July 16, 1971, and moved to Independence, Missouri, in 1974. Jim first worked as a junior high school math teacher at Fort Osage Junior High School and then later as a chief supervisor for Bendix/Allied Signal, now Honeywell. Jim was an active member of their church, St. Joseph the Worker, a local softball league, Boy Scout Troop 221 and baseball leagues in Sugar Creek, Missouri, and eastern Jackson County. They had four children, Jeffrey, Joshua, Jacob, and Jessica. Jim loved sports, especially coaching, and watching all his kids and grandkids play and excel. Jim also served as a Fort Osage School District board member.

In summer of 1995, Jim and Mary were given an opportunity to be a small business owner by purchasing The Walnut Shop in Fairfax, Missouri, from his Uncle Dub and Aunt Margaret. With his sons off to college, Jim moved Mary and Jess to the country life in Fairfax, where he owned and operated the shop until his passing, proudly crafting solid black walnut wood products, picture frames and plaques, proudly stamped with “made in the U.S.A.”. In 1997, Jim and Mary designed and built their dream home north of Fairfax. Affectionately named the Homestead, it became the integral backdrop for the Salmond family gatherings, especially on the Fourth of July. Alongside Mary, Jim was an active member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church. Jim also served as a volunteer firefighter for Atchison County for several years and in recent years helped launch the Atchison County Artisans Craft Fair to highlight the many hard-working local craftsmen and creators in the community.

Jim Salmond lived his life simply and earnestly, believing in the importance of a hard day’s work, giving back, and never doing something halfway. He valued the love of family above all else, second only to his devotion to God. According to his version of Heaven, he’s either lying on the beach or playing a round of golf right now.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Ronald Salmond. Jim waits in Heaven for his wife of 53 years, Mary; his son Jeffrey, wife Loida, and grandchildren Taylor, Tyson, Tinley, and Troy of Norman, Oklahoma; his son Joshua and grandchildren Mason, Lily, and Adalyn of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; his son Jacob, spouse Stephanie, grandsons Landen and Nathan of Indianapolis, Indiana, and granddaughter Gabrielle Meeks, with husband Cole and great-grandson Lucas of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and his daughter, Jessica Salmond, and spouse Jesse Belknap of St. Petersburg, Florida. Jim is also survived by his brothers, Larry Salmond, Mount Vernon, Missouri, and Edward Salmond and wife Teresa, Tarkio; brother-in-law Bill Schrimpf and wife Tina of Oakville, Missouri; and all his nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian burial was held Saturday, April 26, 2025, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Tarkio, conducted by Father Dominic Duc Nguyen. Interment was at Home Cemetery, Tarkio. Military rites were under the auspices of Allen-Schiffern American Legion Post #199, Tarkio. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Tarkio. Arrangements were under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio, Missouri. Online condolences may be made at www.minterfuneralchapels.com.