James Henry Saladin, Jr. passed from his earthly home to his heavenly home on Dec. 29, 2021. He had turned 100 on his birthday in September. He was born Sep. 24,1921, in Norwood.
The only son of James "Henry" Sr. and Myrtle Mizell Saladin, he was raised with his three sisters. James left home and enlisted in the Navy in July of 1942. During WWII, he served as a radioman on the USS Rodman and USS Jaccard.
He was honorably discharged in December 1945 at Treasure Island, San Francisco. Having met Thelma Lucille Tinsley years earlier in the logging camp of Tionesta, Calif., he couldn't wait to see her in Oakland, Calif., where she then lived. They became engaged and were married in Oakland, Calif. in June 1946. To this union were born three daughters. James graduated from Heald Engineering College, San Francisco, in 1949. With his knowledge and experience in the Navy, he began a career with the Bureau of Reclamation in Tracy, Calif. He moved to Reno, Nev. in 1961 and started his long career with the Bureau of Land Management.
He traveled extensively around the state keeping mountain top communication stations operable. He retired in 1979. In retirement, he began building his and Thelma's dream home high on the mountain above Washoe Valley. He loved it there tending to his orchard. He continued to hunt and fish well into his 8os with Thelma and good friends, Al and Faye McLain.
James was predeceased by his wife, Thelma; his three sisters and nephew, Donald Blackwell, whom he and Thelma had helped to raise. He leaves daughters Anita Dennis (Al), of Reno Nev.; Diane Stamey (Charles), of Bozeman, Mont.; Jayne Elliott (Paul), of Sparks, Nev., and Don's widow, Sherry Blackwell, of Las Vegas, Nev.
He also leaves six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank the staff at The Seasons of Reno for their care and concern. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Donations in James' name may be made to Samaritan's Purse, Boone, N.C., or to a charity of your choosing.
