Arthur "Art" Salyer

Arthur Art Salyer, 89, of 235 Mount View Road, Kingsport, died at home Thursday, August 12, 2010. Born in Scott County, Virginia, he spent most of his life in Kingsport. He was employed at Tennessee Eastman Company as a supervisor in E.C.P.I. Technical Service Labs. He retired in 1983 after 44 years of service. After retiring, he as associated with Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes and as a Foreman of the Grand Jury of Sullivan County Criminal Court for 9 years. Mr. Salyer was the longest serving foreman of the Sullivan County Criminal Court Grand Jury. His service began in 1997 after being appointed by Judge Phyllis Miller and ended February 2006.

Art was a proud veteran of WWII, serving in the South Pacific as a radio operator with the Seventh Fleet. He received three campaign ribbons and one battle star. He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 3/265 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Art spoke to many civic clubs, high school students, and churches in the Tri-Cities area about WWII history and his experiences in the South Pacific War. He was a charter member of the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. and he attended the dedication in May 2004. He was also a charter member of the National WWII museum in New Orleans.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Clara Jackson Salyer, in 1981.
Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Roger Judy Stapleton of Dayton, OH; two sons, Jerry Salyer of Kingsport, and Dr. Greg Salyer of Redlands, CA; two granddaughters; one grandson; and four great-grandchildren.

Calling hours are from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport.

Funeral services will be conducted at 8:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel.

Graveside services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Sunday Oak Hill Memorial Park. Military honors will be conducted by the American Legion Post # 3/265.

Pallbearers will be Lukas Salyer and the Hamlett-Dobson staff.

Memorial contributions may be made to Children's Advocacy Center, 150 Blountville Bypass, Blountville, TN 37617.