JIMMY LEE “JIM” SALING
Jimmy Lee “ Jim” Saling, of Groesbeck, passed away peacefully at Ascension Providence Hospital in Waco, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, at age 82.
Funeral services were held on Friday, Oct. 3, at the Groesbeck Church of Christ, with Brothers Richard Williams, Rick Williams and Clif Fox officiating. Burial followed in Hogan Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Brandon Wilson, Brandon Nugent, Wilson Nugent, Skip Spurlock, Keith Easter and Paul Wilson. Honorary pallbearers were the Groesbeck Church of Christ Elders.
Jim was born on March 14, 1943, to Virgil Saling and Eula ( Small) Saling in Moline, Kansas. At a young age, the family moved to Hobbs, New Mexico and later to Farmington, New Mexico, where he attended high school.
Jim joined the U. S. Army, serving from 1960 through 1968. He was stationed in Korea and Germany, and was a drill sergeant in the 1st. Calvary division.
After his honorable discharge in Washington State, he moved to Mexia, Texas to work at the cable company where his brother Ron was working. He met his soon- to- be bride, Martha Wilson, who was also working at the cable company. Their romance began when he left roses in the front seat of her green road runner, and soon led to their marriage a few months later.
Jim and Martha were united in marriage on Dec. 1, 1972. They lived in Groesbeck until his job took them to Navasota as a manager there and then to Calvert as the manager. While they lived in Calvert, their daughter Sheryl was born ( in the hospital in Groesbeck), joining her older brother, Danny.
They later moved back to Groesbeck and Jim began work in commercial transportation as a truck driver for Koch Oil. His trips took him throughout Texas and allowed him to be at home at night.
He enjoyed taking the family on vacations to Burnet, New Mexico and Colorado, as well as in the boat on Lake Limestone, teaching them to water ski.
Jim loved his family and was a big Teddy Bear to the grandkids. He would spread a pallet on the floor and watch TV for hours, even all night, with Kyla and Callie. And he took Corey and Devin “ snipe” hunting at night down the Longbridge Road. He went to all the games of the grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He loved going to East Texas to see Martha’s brother and sister- in- law, Henry and Judy Wilson and their family, and going to church in Gilmer.
Jim was always there for Martha in any crisis with her family. He helped her in the care for both of her parents when they were older, and helped his father- in- law, Vestle, during the last years he lived at home, taking him breakfast every day and sitting with him, as well as feeding his cows. Jim was ready to get up and go even when he didn’t feel well himself.
Jim always had Tipper, his cat, keeping him company while sitting in his chair, and was loved also by Marble and his dog Yogi. Tipper hated everyone else but Jim, and Jim was calling for Tipper even in the hospital.
Jim played the guitar, by ear, and loved to play and sing for the kids. He was even singing to them during his last hours in the hospital.
Jim loved the Lord. He was baptized at the Church of Christ in Shiloh by Ben Lucas, since the church at Thornton where they attended did not have a baptistry. He later was a faithful member of the Church of Christ in Groesbeck. He was a quiet and gentle man, faithful to the Lord and his family, and will be greatly missed by all.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; all of his siblings – baby sister Barbara, and brothers Glen, Ronnie and Bill Saling; and also by his mother- in- law and fatherin- law, Frances and Vestle Wilson and other members of Martha’s family.
He is survived by wife of 52+ years, Martha Saling; son and daughterin- law, Danny and Dee Saling; daughter and sonin- law, Sheryl and Joe Chambers; 5 grandchildren: Kelsey Gomez ( Luis), Devin Chambers ( Britteny), Corey Saling ( Sierra), Kyla Chambers, and Callie Saling; and also 14 great grandchildren; and nephew, Jack Saling( Sylvia) and nieces, D’Ann Cotton( Bryan) and Starlia Saling, as well as other extended family.
Please visit www. groesbeckfuneralhome. com to leave messages of condolence on the guestbook.