of Conway, AR
January 22, 1947 - August 29, 2022
James Lynn Salkeld, 75, of Conway, Arkansas passed away with his loving family at his side on August 29, 2022. He was born in Danville, Arkansas on January 22, 1947 to Frank and Virginia Salkeld. James is preceded in death by his father, Frank Salkeld; step-father, Charles Pearce; grandparents and nephew, Jason Yates.
James is survived by his wife of 51 years, Patti Salkeld; daughters, Summer Burroughs (Jeremy) of Greenbrier, Arkansas, Brandi Johnson (Kenneth) of Conway, Arkansas; grandchildren, Hannah, Emma and Jackson Burroughs of Greenbrier, Arkansas, Ashton and Hayden Johnson of Conway, Arkansas; his mother, Virginia Salkeld Pearce; sisters, Ginger Yates of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Susan Ralls of Freeport, Florida, Sandy Gunn of Little Rock, Arkansas and a host of nieces, nephews and close friends.
James was a Master Electrician and a member of IBEW Local 295 for 55 years. James was appointed Director of Labor in August 1991, having a 21 year tenure as the longest serving Director in the history of the Labor Department. He is the only Director of Labor to have served four Governors and serve Governors of different political parties.
James was a devoted husband, loyal father and beloved grandfather. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten.
A visitation will be held at Roller-McNutt in Conway, Arkansas on Friday, September 2, 2022 from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Services will be held at Roller-McNutt, Conway, Arkansas on Saturday, September 3, 2022 at 10:00 am. Burial will immediately follow at Brearley Cemetery in Dardanelle, Arkansas.
Brandi,
I just learned of your dads passing. I'm so sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family during this difficult time.
Hope you all do well through this - wish I could've been there - no more suffering for him - heavenly joy to you James
Summer,
My heart goes out to you, as I read your dad's obiturary, I see he was quite an accomplished person. Jeremy spoke very well of him.
Like everything else in our lives, the best thing we can do is commit every situation to The Most High God through Jesus our saviour...
You are a godly woman and I am sure your dad loved you very much.
Let us stay in the narrow way and cast all of our cares upon him who loved us and gave himself for us and some day he will wipe away all tears and there will be joy in his presense forever more....
God bless you and keep you...
Love, brother charlie...
Acts 26:18 kjv
Patti & Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. James was an excellent electrician and Business Agent for Local 295 and the best ever Director of the Department of Labor. He was a great friend. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. May God bless and comfort each of you.
Love, Jimmy & Sharon
Jamie was a great boss. I remember the first day he became the Director. He went around and visited each office and was so kind. I know this a difficult time for your family. Praying the Lord will hold you especially close and comfort you through the coming days.
Ms Patti and family, I met Mr Salkeld from a few years back when I worked at Splash Carwash in Conway on Donaghey. I worked the front desk and looked forward to him coming in. He was my favorite customer, and looked forward to him bringing me deer meat. He was such a sweetheart and always treated me like a human being and I respected him so much. He talked about his family and I had the pleasure of meeting two of his children. He talked about you a lot Ms Patti. Fly high sirðŸ™ðŸ¾ðŸ™ðŸ¾ðŸ™ðŸ¾
Linda Moody
We were so sorry to hear about James. Our prayers are with you all.
We will always remember driving by your home and seeing him out washing his vehicles. They had to be the cleanest in the neighborhood.
We also still look to see if he's holding court with his family on the back porch. All sitting around talking making sweet memories.
That has been part of our lives for a long time. We will miss him.
God bless you all.
We love you,
Tommy and Debbie Lambert
To the family:
I only met James one time at a boiler conference. I had heard so much about him at the department, after being appointed Deputy Director of Labor in 2015. He was kind to me and clearly respected by everyone present. He was missed after leaving Labor and I know he will be sorely missed by his family after leaving this earth.
My sincerest condolences.
Director of Labor
Summer,
So Sorry for your Loss, Your Family will be in Our Prayers.
It was an honor working for Jamie. He was a wonderful leader. The Department of Labor was never the same after he retired.
I will greatly miss my brother. God bless you James!
Patti & Family,
We're so sorry to hear about James,
and just know that Huckeba was there to greet him. James will always be remembered for his outstanding work & contributions to the State of Arkansas. Our thoughts & prayers are with you.
James presented us with many safety awards over the years and we became what I consider GREAT friends. I will always remember his voice, so low but powerful. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, but I know he is in heaven preparing a safe place for you all when you get to see him again. May God Bless you sir you will be missed.
I had the privilege of working for Mr. Salkel. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Karen Broadway
My prayers are with you all. I really enjoyed working with him at the office located in Little Rock, Arkansas at 10421 West Markham.
My heart is just broken for your precious family… Heaven gained one of the great ones that's for sure. ‘Daddy James' all through our nursing school days together with Brandi was the biggest encourager & supporter.. it was so evident he adored Momma Patti, you two girls and all of his grands.. you guys were his pride and joy. I loved reading his name on zillions of elevators and I would always say to myself ‘I know him, he's a great man' couldn't help but smile. All of our love and prayers as you navigate the days forward until that heavenly reunion one day. Love you all ðŸ™ðŸ½
James was a great friend and colleague. My Prayers are with his family during this time.
Brandi, Kenneth, & family,
We are so very sorry for your loss. Please know that you will be in our thoughts and prayers in the coming days.
Was a very good friend to my parents
So sorry in your loss. God bless each of you. Steve and Shelley Bunger
Jamie was a good friend, he was always willing to help & could tell funny stories as well as anybody.
Our thoughts and continued prayers go out to the family. So sorry for your loss.
Patty and family, we are so sorry for your loss. I met James lots of years ago while playing golf at Cadron Valley Country Club. I always admired his gentleman like qualities and his personal neatness. He was a real class act, always kept his vehicles, home's yard, golf cart, motorcycle, all just so spotless. Y'all's daughter's and our daughter Haley made great friends growing up so James' family has a special place in all our hearts. We pray for God's comfort to be with all of your family. James will be missed greatly. RIP James
Patti & girls
I'm so sorry to hear of this loss. Praying for you all.
Dana Villines