James "Big Jim" W. Salamon

James (Big Jim) W. Salamon, 83, of Ravenna, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at UH Portage Medical Center in Ravenna, Ohio.  On March 2, 1936, Jim was born in Ravenna to the late Joseph J. and Theresa C. (Reinhardt) Salamon.  Jim has been a lifelong Ravenna resident and graduated from Ravenna Township HS where he excelled in high school athletics, lettering in all four sports.  After graduation, Jim began a 35-year career as a carpenter, the majority with P.L. Frank Construction Company.  Always industrious, he applied his carpentry skills to build his first family home and a few years later the family homestead which was expanded over the years to include three barns and twenty acres.  With his wife and three sons, he built four duplexes and remodeled an old farm house and ran Salamon Rentals for thirty years.     

He loved farming and animals and over the years showed Quarter horses, bred German Shepherd dogs, and raised registered black angus cattle along with numerous other varieties of farm animals.  He volunteered as commissioner of his sons' local Pee Wee football teams, loved polka dancing, and was an avid listener of buttonbox polka music.  Jim enjoyed sharing his interests, helping others, and spending time with family and friends.  From hosting corn roasts and other gatherings under the big tent to having his grandchildren during the summers, you might find him riding around on tractors, golf carts, and four wheelers or shooting rifles and passing on valuable life skills.  Jim was a member of the First Christian Church in Ravenna and a 32nd Degree Mason and Past Master of Unity Lodge 12, Ravenna.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Joseph Salamon.  Survivors include his wife Bonnie L. (Line) Salamon whom he married on November 15, 1958, his sons, Blake (Laura) Salamon of Oregon, Brent (Courtney) Salamon of Michigan, Scott Salamon of Ravenna, his grandchildren J.J. Salamon, Chris Salamon, Justin (Sarah) Salamon, Joe Salamon, Audrey (Dustin) Ives, his great grandchildren Lily and Micah Salamon and Brian and Elliot Ives and his sister Barbara Salamon of Ravenna.     

As a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother and friend, Jim will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.  He lived with purpose and pride and the impact he left on us all is the lasting legacy of a beautiful, full life.     

Calling hours will be Saturday, September 28, 2019 at the Shorts Spicer Funeral Homes, Ravenna Chapel, from 2:00 PM until the 3:45 PM Ravenna Masonic services followed by the 4:00 PM funeral services.  Private burial will be at Maple Grove Cemetery.  The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to either the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.  Condolences and memories of Jim may be shared with his family at www.sscfuneralhomes.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James "Big Jim" W. Salamon, please visit our floral store.