James Nicholas Salapatas

James Nicholas Salapatas (Jim), went to be with the Lord, at his Colorado Springs home, on August 25, 2025. He was a man who looked at every challenge as an opportunity. Known as Grandpa Sal to family and friends, he will be remembered for his inspirational Life’s High Five guide and his motto: “You make a living by what you get. You have a life by what you give.”

Jim's family includes his loving wife, Letitia Ann; daughter, Deborah Ann Lewis (Alden Rex Lewis), granddaughter Taylor Steed and three great grandsons Michael who predeceased him, Gabriel & Isaiah; two stepsons, James Christian Kirk (Shelley Kirk) and Michael Edward Kirk (Kimberly Kirk) and their children, Nicole, Megan, Nathan (Mia), Lincoln & Kingston; brother John Spyros Salapatas (Rachel), niece Elizabeth, nephew Mark Salapatas (Danielle) and their two children (Chloe, Theo).

Jim was born April 23, 1934, in Athens Greece. In 1940, he and his grandmother escaped the war in Greece and went to join his mother, Anna, and new father, Spyros Salapatas, in Chicago, Illinois.

Jim graduated from Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in 1955 with a B. S. Industrial Engineering degree and was part of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity.

Jim later attended Florida International University, earned his Master of Management degree in 1979, and joined the adjunct faculty, teaching Operations and Project management.

Jim was drafted into Army and went to basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He served honorably in both the US and Japan.

Jim’s professional career spanned over four decades of experience in the fields of industrial engineering and project management in which he worked in paper, transportation, utilities, consulting, and education.

Grandpa Sal will be remembered for his dedication to his church and faith, teaching martial arts, his love for tennis, championing family grandkid sporting events, giving sage advice and storytelling.