John Wells Saladin, Sr., loving and beloved husband, father, and grandfather lost his long brave fight with prostate cancer on July 21, 2005. He was born April 2, 1940 in Charleston, West Virginia but lived most of his adult life in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Houston, Texas and finally Beaumont, Texas.
He is survived by the love of his life, Frances Meredith Saladin-together since they met in high school almost fifty years ago and married forty-four years; his daughter, Meredith S. Clark and her husband Tom; his son, John W. Saladin, Jr. – proud successor to his father as head of Saladin Pump & Equipment, his wife Debbie and twin sons, Thomas and Michael; and his sister, Catherine Barefield, her husband Paul, and their children; as well as several cousins and their extended families.
He is preceded in death by his father, Robert John Saladin.
John was a remarkable man – a loving and generous husband and family man; prominent area businessman – founding Saladin Pump & Equipment in Beaumont in January, 1986. In June of 1993, he was the recipient of the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year Award. He was a member of the Rotary Club in Beaumont. He was awarded the Golden Eagle award, capping off a career of excellence from his former employer of sixteen years, ITT Goulds.
He was a graduate of Louisiana State University and life long rabid LSU Tiger fan, no matter the sport – something he’s passed on to his son, John. He was an active supporter of the Tiger Athletic Foundation and a member of the LSU Foundation.
He was well known for his sense of humor and love of playing pranks on others. Also known as quite the dancer, he could never resist slow dancing with his wife, doing the Twist with his daughter or leading the line dance. He had a great zest for life and fought with everything he had until the very end. He will be sorely missed by many.
To his many friends and business associates in Beaumont, Crystal Beach, Houston, and Baton Rouge, the family thanks you for your prayers and support during his difficult fight against today’s most deadly and evil disease–cancer. The family requests that donations be made in his honor to the American Cancer Society, P O Box 5144, Beaumont, Texas 77726 or a cancer research facility of your choice. This is a disease that has taken too many of our loved ones and must be conquered.
Family will receive friends on Saturday, July 23, 2005 at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, 3430 Harrison on Sunday, July 24, 2005 at 4:00 p.m. with Dr. Jim Killen and Reverend Bob Shield presiding. Burial following services to be held at Forest Lawn Mausoleum.
