Dewey County Obituary
Sunnyside Cemetery

aka Vici

© SHAW REDINGER FUNERAL HOME
VICI, DEWEY CO, OK
(permission granted)
Submitted by: Ann Weber

JOHN RODNEY SALISBURY

March 28, 1927 - April 18, 2017

Visitation: Thursday ~ 9:00 am to 8:00 pm Friday ~ 9:00 am to 7:00 pm Saturday ~ 8:00 am to 10:00 am ~ At Funeral Home

John was born March 28, 1927 on the family farm 8 miles east and 2 ½ miles south of Vici to his parents, Joseph “Guy” & Zilpha Cutsinger Salisbury. Those were the days of large families. John was the 12th child of 16 children with 12 Brothers and 3 Sisters. John passed peacefully at the age of 90 in his home on April 18, 2017 surrounded by loved ones.

John grew up in Dewey County and attended Union School & Vici High School. He spent time in California with his brothers working on a Clydesdale farm & a dairy.

He enlisted in the United States Army in 1951 and served two years in Korea as a member of the switchboard Signal Corps. John was honorably discharged as a Private First Class in 1953.

On July 10, 1954, in Clayton, NM, John made the smartest move of his entire life when he married Dixie Miller from Camargo. The old saying that “behind every good man is a good woman” is absolutely true. Dixie was the love of his life for over 62 years. Together they raised 7 children. They made their home in Vici except for 2 years spent in California. They have 16 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren.

John attended the Oklahoma Barber College in Oklahoma City in 1955. After graduation, he worked for a short time in Paul’s Valley and Oklahoma City. Then in 1956, John bought the barber shop in Vici from Leland Johnson and barbered with Spud Castor. He barbered for over 50 years and retired fully at the age of 79.

John was active in his community serving on the Vici Volunteer Fire Department, where he retired after 20 years of service. He also served on the Vici Town Board for 6 years and as Mayor of Vici for 4 years. He was a member of the American Legion Post 76, and served as Commander and Adjutant for several years. He was also a member of the Dewey County Historical Society and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.

John enjoyed driving the country side in Dewey County, checking out the changes and reminiscing his childhood memories. He loved to laugh and tell stories. He could always find a domino or pitch game when there were chores that needed to be done at home. He spent many of his days off helping his brothers and others with farm and ranch work. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, horse racing, sports, and attending his grandchildren’s events. He was pretty famous on the rodeo circuit as grandson Mike’s traveling partner. He made many friends and traveled many miles attending rodeos across the nation.

John attended the United Methodist Church of Vici. He received Jesus as his Savior and was baptized in March of 2013. Prayer was one of his greatest comforts.

John always treated people with respect. He was the kind of man that didn’t judge other people, but also the kind of man to be feared if you did any harm to one of his family. The measure of a man is not his size, but the size of his heart, and they were right, John was a “Big” man.

John has been a loving husband, father, and grandfather to a very large family that all loves each other very much. His kids all learned faith in God, good morals, and an excellent work ethic. This is a family that would do anything to help someone in need. They all bond together, and know that they can depend on each other anytime. He was the root of a large family tree that keeps growing strong, and there’s no doubt that he left a mark that will be remembered.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Guy and Zilpha Salisbury, 14 siblings; Wilbur, Pete, Vern, Arthur, Katherine, Joe, Bob, Mike, Guy Jr. “Tude”, Bill, Ella Marie “Sis”, Velma “Tine,” Melvin “Bud,” and Stan. Two children, Steven Salisbury and Susie Zuelsdorf, and one grandson, Cody McDowell.

He is survived by his wife, Dixie, of the home; five children, Rhonda Haynie and husband Allan of Odessa, TX; Donna Mitchell of Weatherford, OK; Charles Salisbury and wife Jacque of Beaver, OK; Deena Outhier and husband Milburn of Weatherford, OK; and Janice Parker and husband Chuck of Huntersville, NC; Son-in-law Daryl Zuelsdorf of Woodward, OK; fifteen grandchildren: Brandie, Kristi, Mike, Dennis, Randa, Darci, Dale, Melissa, Jessica, Mitch, Lynnsi, Chuck, Charlie, Amy and Laura; and 32 great grandchildren with one on the way; one sibling, Dennis “Hop” Salisbury, sibling-in-laws, Nancy Salisbury, Ceford Castor, Mary Jean Miller, Juanita McLain, Doris Bridges, Pat and Garland Gaston, Joe Mac and Carol Miller; lifelong friend, Hilbert Coulson; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Memorial Donations in John Salisbury’s honor may be made to the Vici Volunteer Fire Department.

SERVICES
Funeral Service
Saturday, April 22, 2017
10:30 AM
Jerald Shaw Auditorium
Vici High School
Vici, OK 73859

Interment following service at Sunnyside Cemetery, Vici, OK