- Date Of Birth: June 27, 1933
- Date Of Death: August 22, 2021
- City: Sterling
- State: Colorado
Jack met his bride, Shirley Salyards, in Haxtun and the two were married on Aug. 14, 1955 at the Haxtun United Methodist Church. The couple had three children; Doug in 1957, Debbi in 1959 and David in 1963. Jack and Shirley just recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary.
Jack’s family farmed irrigated ground near Eaton but after returning to Haxtun farmed dryland corn and wheat. He worked at the Haxtun Coop and later bought his own hay stacker to work alongside his brother, Kenneth, who bailed hay. Jack farmed until his 70s but even then, it was hard to keep him from the fields as he insisted on helping other farmers in the area.
Jack spent countless hours and drove many miles watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their sporting events and other activities. He and Shirley were named Haxtun Booster Club Super Boosters in 2012-13. He drove a bus for Haxtun Schools and was a member of the Haxtun Fire Department and Haxtun American Legion. Jack was a part of the morning Barlo Cafe coffee crew, taking great pride in opening each morning to start brewing the coffee.
Jack stacked hay and farmed throughout the summers and spent winters vacationing with his grandchildren in the Rocky Mountains. He enjoyed teaching each of them, and a number of their friends, how to snow ski. He loved the mountains and watching the elk. He also took great pride in watching his grandchildren show 4-H animals and traveled to watch them in local and state fairs.
Jack and Shirley traveled together to the South Padre Islands, to Jackson Hole to see elk and to watch hot air balloons in New Mexico.
Jack is survived by his wife Shirley, Haxtun; sons David and wife Lona Salyards, Haxtun, and Doug Salyards, Haxtun; son-in-law Steve Starkebaum, Haxtun; grandchildren Candie and husband Cole Fix, Haxtun, Dalton and wife Rylie Salyards, Iliff, Dillon Salyards and special friend Jessie Stewart, Haxtun, Seth and wife Stephanie Starkebaum, Haxtun, Katelyn and husband Jimmy McNevin, Flagstaff, Ariz., Erin Starkebaum and significant other Abe Flug, Bellevue, and Christina and husband Brandon Peterson, Westminster; great-grandchildren, Haylie, Kortlyn, Jaxy, Cora, Banyan, Tanner and Brooke; brother Melvin Salyards, Grand Junction; brother-in-law John Buck, Denver; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He is proceeded in death by his parents; daughter Debbi; brothers Stanley, Everitt, Eldon and Kenneth; and sister Maxine Daniels.
Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. at the Haxtun United Methodist Church with Pastor Jeri Soens officiating. Inurnment is to follow at the Haxtun Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Jack Salyards Memorial, which will be added to the Debbi Starkebaum Memorial scholarship for Haxtun High School graduates. Contributions may be sent to Chaney-Reager Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1046, Sterling, CO 80751.
