Salestrom Celebration of Life Planned at UNK

There will be a Celebration of Jim Salestrom’s life on Friday, June 21, in the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s Fine Arts Recital Hall beginning at 7:00 p.m. CDT.  The presentation is planned to highlight some of Jim’s life, experiences, career, and his music.  

Doors to the celebration will open at 6:00 p.m. 

As written in his obituary, James Kevin Salestrom impacted countless lives throughout his long and successful musical career. To his family he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother. He was born February 20, 1956 in Omaha, NE to Virgil and Janice Salestrom. He is survived by his wife Pamela Dailer Salestrom, his daughter Casey, son-in-law Brandon Freeman and son James Salestrom Jr. of Nashville, TN. The true joy of his life was his grandson - Casey and Brandon’s son, Thomas James. Jim also dearly loved his brothers Chuck and Tom Salestrom and their families.

To his fans Jim was a joy to listen to, a world class singer/songwriter and an Emmy winning performer. His love of music started at the early age of 7 when he got his first guitar. As he got older, he started writing songs, and formed several groups in Nebraska with his brother Chuck. The most notable of these was Timberline, which further launched his career. 

He played guitar and sang in Dolly Parton’s band over the course of decades. Her shows took him all over the world. Jim also had a close relationship with John Denver and performed with him throughout the years. He shared his love of life and positive spirit through his music. He worked with countless wonderful musicians and performed for 5 U.S. Presidents, and numerous members of the U.S. Supreme Court.

He treated everyone with love and respect. Jim was known for his humor, infectious smile, positive outlook on life and a gift to make everyone feel special. He sang like an angel, and luckily his music will endure long past his lifetime.  Amazingly, he was still performing shows three weeks prior to his death 

Jim passed away on Wednesday, November 22 surrounded by loved ones at his home in Arvada, CO after a decade-long battle with cancer. He was 67 years old.  

Jim’s family has planned 3 separate events starting in Kearney on June 21, then Breckenridge CO on June 26, and finally in Big Sky, Montana on August 5th.  Memorials are suggested to the Grateful Music Foundation-- a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation located at 133B Pheasant Tail Lane in Big Sky, Montana.