"For the short time we knew Kevin as our neighbor, we really enjoyed his company. He will be greatly missed!"
In loving memory of
Kevin "Gus" Salesman
June 23, 1968 - January 20, 2019
Hardworking, straight forward and quick witted were just a few ways to describe Kevin "Gus" Salesman. Gus, a nickname he had from high school followed him in his military career after working with several other Kevin's at the base. Kevin had a heart of gold and always put others before himself. He was always aware of events going on in other's lives and took the time to talk with his friends. He was not one to sugar coat anything and told you how he felt if you asked for his advice. He believed and said many times, "business is business and personal is personal" and once he was done talking to you about something of business, he could drop it and move right along like nothing happened.
With the first Big Mac going on sale for McDonalds, 1968 had many memorable events happen. Rev. Martin Luther King was assassinated and Robert Kennedy was mortally wounded. The first successful heart transplant was performed, the Boeing 747 made its maiden flight and emergency 911 telephone service was started in the USA. The year also welcomed the birth of Kevin A. Salesman on June 23, 1968 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Kevin was the son of Gerald A. and Linda E. (Pippenger) Salesman and grew up in Fort Wayne. His uncle introduced him to tractor pulls and he enjoyed working on cars. In his junior year at Paul Harding High School, Kevin was talked into joining the school show choir because they needed more male student involvement. This decision would change the rest of his life. It was in show choir where he first met Julie A. Henley and they eventually would start dating and fall in love. The two dated throughout high school and following graduation in 1986 and obtaining his associates degree from ITT Tech in vehicle maintenance, the young couple were married on May 22, 1990 in Fort Wayne. They would start a family together and welcome two beautiful girls into their hearts and home, Kayla and Dana.
Kevin started his work career by working on vehicles for the Indiana State Highway Department and served in the Indiana Air National Guard. He would eventually be fulltime with the U.S. Air Force and by 1992, he and his family moved from Fort Wayne to Alpena, Michigan. Following retirement in 2011, Kevin took a civil service job with the Department of Defense at Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George's County, Maryland and lived near Washington D.C. His health forced him to retire much sooner than he planned on July 7, 2018 as Budget Analysist. He and Julie would return home to Indiana and make Columbia City their new home where Julie's parents were living.
For many years Kevin took his family to Cedar Point and even had season passes, despite being six hours away. He loved taking vacations with his family, going to Florida and camping. He showed his family how "easily" everything needed for a camping trip could be packed into the back of their Honda Accord. He enjoyed golfing, grilling and was a Cincinnati Bengals fan. While he and his family lived in Michigan, he volunteered with the local fire department and coached basketball and soccer. Kevin also volunteered his time with the Thunder Bay Basketball Association (TBBA) to help children and youth become involved with playing basketball in the area.
After a two-year battle with colon cancer, Kevin A. Salesman, passed away at 7:08 p.m. Sunday, January 20, 2019 at his home in Columbia City, Indiana surrounded by his family. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife, Julie Salesman; daughters, Kayla (Ryan) Delaney, of Fort Wayne, Indiana and Dana Salesman, of Salt Lake City, Utah; and grandson, Elijah; brother, LJ Stevenson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald Salesman and Linda Salesman-Stone.
A gathering of family and friends with be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, January 25, 2019 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. A service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday at Columbia City United Methodist Church with Pastor Fred Stayton. Memorial gifts may be given in his memory to Colon Cancer Alliance or the college fund for his grandchildren, I.C.O. Julie Salesman. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send his family condolences online.
Tributes
"Julie, I?m so sorry to hear Kevin passed. Your family is special to me. Too think we were all in Ft Wayne together and he even joined my guard unit and we all met at Andrews AFB 20 years later! I loved our short time together with you and Kevin and Dana. Hugs and peace to all of you, Cindy Schnelker "
"Sorry too hear about Kevin he was an awesome guy and coworker he will missed?God bless him and his family ."
"I knew Kevin from afar. Me being at another Air Guard unit and he was at Andrews. I knew him well enough to know he will be missed by all. Kevin was my "go to" person whenever I needed something answered or pushed through on the finance side of the ANG. Even though he was busy, he always had time to help. My heart goes out to his wife and family. "
"Julie, Your mother just called to let me know of Kevin's passing from this Earth to eternal Heaven. Ironically, it was at your dad's funeral just two months ago that I met your Kevin and commented about some of the military medals that he was wearing on his uniform. He merely said that they were not too important but servicing his country was more important to him...oh, what modestly! Blessings to you and your daughters.. Grace & Peace, cousin Jan Henley "
"This is my memory of Kevin and shows what kind of person he was. I lived by myself and did a lot of my own repairs (usually involving tape, wire, and prayers) which is how I tried to fix my patio fence. Kevin moved in and one day said to me "would you like me to fix your fence?" And he did so it stopped falling over. I really appreciated it. He knew how to fix things and did a lot of work around our neighborhood. He was just a really nice guy. My condolences to Julie and his family. "
"Who Dey. Sister Deb "
"Julie Dana I am so sorry for your earthly loss, keeping you all in my prayers. May God give you all the strength to get through these next few days, weeks, months. Just remember to take one breath at a time. "
"Julie I am so sorry to hear about your loss. You are in my prayers"
"I am so sorry for your loss, Julie. My thoughts and prayers to you and your family."
"Such a wonderful son-in-law. Everyday with Kevin was a blessing. You will be missed. MOM Henley"
" met Kevin and Julie at Bev's this summer a friend to Bev from High School so very sorry to hear of your loss thinking of you and your family all in my prayers have heard from Bev what a wonderful son-in-law he was"
"Kevin set the standard for a loving, caring father and soul mate-best friend-husband to my little sister. Job well done sir, you will be dearly missed but we all are blessed to have the memories we carry in our hearts of our time together. Until we meet again. Brother Keith"
"May each of you find courage to face tomorrow as you rest in the knowledge that we truly care about each of your needs and that we will walk beside you in your journey of grief. Randy Grimes, Brett Gerber and the Staff of DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home "