James Phillip Saler

james saler

March 11, 1965 ~ June 30, 2005


Resided in: Pueblo West, CO

James Phillip Saler, CW3, Ret., 40, of Pueblo West, Colorado, a Tri-State CareFlight pilot, died in a helicopter crash near Mancos, Colorado, on June 30, 2005. Survived by his wife, Janet Byers Saler; daughters, Natalie, Danielle and Christine; parents, Marilyn and Lee Horn; father, James Saler; mother and father-in-law, Curt and Tonie Byers; sisters, Sharon Mancuoso and Lisa (Lawrence) Tachibana; and numerous other family members and friends. Jim was born March 11, 1965, in Orange, California, and graduated in 1983 from South Tahoe High School in South Lake Tahoe, California. He retired on June 30, 2005, as a Chief Warrant Officer 3, having served 20 years in the U.S. Army. He began his military career as an Infantryman, where he served in 'Operation Just Cause' in Panama and 'Operation Able Sentry' in Macedonia. In 1995, he was selected for Warrant Officer Candidate School. After graduation, he attended the Army Aviation Flight School at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Jim served two tours of duty in the Middle East, his most recent tour as a Medivac pilot with the 571st Med Company Air Ambulance from Fort Carson, Colorado. He served in 'Operation Iraqi Freedom,' returning back to Fort Carson in November 2003. An avid skier, he also loved spending time with his family, camping and fishing. He had a special talent for building furniture, cabinets and other woodcrafts. Jim touched the lives of many people. He was an inspiration and a role model to those who knew him. He was an individual who always put other's needs before his own. Becoming a pilot was his lifelong dream, and now his spirit will forever soar. You will always be in our hearts. We love you, Jim! A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Friday, July 8, 2005, at the Montgomery & Steward Chapel with military honors by the Fort Carson Honor Guard. Online condolences, www.montgomerysteward.com

View current weather.

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. I will never forget then SSG Saler in Berlin who always took time to help me out when times were hard on a young SGT.I will never forget! I will never forget the pilot that flew me and my scout platoon on an infill mission in Korea in 2002. I will never forget the last time i got to talk to him. at the airport in korea,we both happend to be going home on our mid-tour leave in 2002 ( he always had that smile and would say what’s up!)gone yes, but you will live in my heart always.
    your friend
    jeff lowder

  2. I served with SSG James Saler as a Scout in Berlin Brigade and in Macedonia. He was a great NCO, had a “laid-back” way about him, especially when dealing with our hyper-active “Bird-Dog”

    Scouts Out!

  3. I flew with Jim in Blackhawks for a short time on active duty. I remember him as a fun, soft spoken professional who knew his job, enjoyed it and made the tough times better for those around him. We are better for having known him.

    Sincerely,

    Daniel Wolman

  4. Name: Greg and Carol Daum
    E-mail: designscapes@webtv.net
    Telephone: 530-577-0337
    Hello,
    We would like to send our condolences to the Saler family. It is sad to find out that we won’t get to see our friend Jim again. The last time we saw him was over 15 years ago, up here in Tahoe. We took care of his dog for a while, while he was in the military. He was a friend since school days. He will be missed. If you need anything please feel free to contact us.

    Greg and Carol Daum

    Please pass this along to the Salers for us.

    • I just found out about Saler’s untimely death. He and I were good friends and infantrymen back in Gelnhausen Germany 1984-1986. We met up again at Ft Carson sometime around 87-88. We sure had a great time in Gelnhausen and Jim and Luera were the best buddies I could have asked for. My deepest condolences to his family.

  5. I met Jim only a few times while working in the ER at Mercy.As with all, my heart is sadden by this loss of three great men. Your family is in my prayers.
    May God bless you and bring comfort to your hearts.

  6. Dearest Friends,

    We are so deeply saddened by this tragedy to a man we’ve known for almost 30 years. We are spiritually with you, though we are not there in presence. Jim spoke to our hearts about honor, courage and compassion and what it is meant to be a “true hero.”
    He will be greatly missed and the world will be deprived because of the loss of men like Jim.
    Our prayers are constantly with all of you.

    God Bless

    Joan and Michelle

  7. I am sorry for your loss. Jim was a great influence on everyone he met. He was an anchor in Iraq and a damn fine pilot. I will miss his presence but his memory will live with me forever. I am sorry I can not attend the service as I am overseas right now. God Bless.

  8. My condolences to you and your family during this difficult time. May God watch over you and help to ease your pain.

  9. Dearest Saler family,

    Our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your family at this difficult time.
    Matthew, my husband, who is currently serving in Iraq, was on Jim’s crew last year while in Iraq. Jim was very highly spoke of by not only by my husband, but everyone who worked with him. He will be greatly missed.

    Sincerely,
    Matthew, Candance, Aiden, and Chase Bernard

  10. My name is Matthew Bernard and I had the honor of serving with Jim during O.I.F 1. I’m currently deployed to O.I.F 3 and after seeing the article of the crash was astonished, I thought great men like your husband and father lived forever..
    Most of the men on my team knew and/or flew with Jim. Our deepest condolences to you and your family.
    We are all honored and enriched to have known Jim..
    Sincerely,
    Matthew Bernard-Flight medic
    Tony Ferrio-Pilot
    John O’Donnell, Flight medic, he was a good pilot, a lifesaver
    Gary Stephens-Crew Chief, Dustoff
    Justin Matamales, Crewchief, he will be remembered
    Matt Schock-Pilot

  11. It is with my deepest condolences that I write this. My prayers and thoughts are with all of Jim’s family. He was a great pilot and a great Officer. When the news reached us here in Iraq, we were all completely shocked. Please know that we are here for you if you should need anything. God Bless. Mark

  12. To: Jimmy’s Wife and children, Aunt Marilyn, Uncle Roland, Sharon and Family, and Lisa and Family… I love you all…. I am so sorry that we all live so far apart…. I am so, so sorry about cousin Jimmy

    Aunt Marilyn… (I know how you are feeling as I too lost my only son, Mikey).. I am so, so sorry and I pray that God will comfort you all each day that passes with only special fond memories of him. He was loved very much and although I haven’t seen him since he was very young (that’s how I remember him, a little skinny thing like brother Kenny!) by his picture, he turned into a very handsome man! Wow! I was glad to see his picture! If anybody needs anything, do not hesitate to call me 951-849-7348, and I am so sorry I haven’t called you (I did talk with Lisa :)…

    I love you all very, very much…
    God be with you all… God be with all of our loved ones….

    With all my love, Cousin Linda


Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle

  1. CandleImage
  2. CandleImage
  3. CandleImage
  4. CandleImage
  5. CandleImage
  6. CandleImage
  7. CandleImage
  8. CandleImage

Accessibility Tools
hide