James Screven Salter

Born in Savannah, Georgia, on December 19, 1943, Screven was the oldest of three children of the late James Screven Salter, Sr. and Minnie Ann Irwin Salter, originally from Savannah and Sandersville Georgia respectively.

Screven and wife, Jane Cantrell Salter, married in 1969, in Savannah and moved their young family to Macon, GA in 1972, where they opened an Insty-Prints print shop.

Upon graduation from University of GA in 1967, with a Bachelor of Science in Business, he continued post-graduate education at University of Tennessee to just one credit shy of his Masters Degree when he left for military duty. Screven served as First Lieutenant in the Army and was a Vietnam Veteran.

An adventurer at heart, Screven was passionate about travel, experiencing other cultures, making friends all over the world and taking on exciting hobbies such as sailing classes and crewing aboard sailboats. Always comfortable at the helm, he was chosen to take journalists out on the water to view the sailboat racing in the ‘96 Olympics. He bought “The Lady Jane”, a 33’ Endeavor that he and wife Jane enjoyed living aboard for a 6 months sailing trip to and around the Abacos. Screven was never afraid to jump into any exciting new opportunity that caught his attention - whether taking on a new business venture such as opening a Baldinos Sandwich shop in Macon or Bay Springs Marina on Lake Weiss, Alabama to acquiring a small aircraft pilots license and riding his recumbent bicycle across the state on bike tours. He had many, some would say perilous, adventures with seat-of-the-pants travelling with his good friend, the late Roscoe Douglas, going to Italy, Greece, Egypt, and Israel . He also travelled (often solo) to Mexico, Russia, China and India; and with Jane to Canada, France, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark and an unforgettable Alaska Cruise.

Screven marched to his own drum - often much to the frustration of his family, but that was eclipsed by his generosity, unfailing support of making dreams come true in both spirit and tangible help, and willingness to offer wise council. He was a voice of encouragement to others to live fully and not be afraid of change or possibilities. He never met a stranger and enjoyed hearing others’ life stories as well as sharing his own large cache of intriguing tales. He was a wonderful father to two daughters: Blaine Lower (Jon) of Monticello, GA and Rebecca Youngblood of Macon, GA; as well as an active grand-father to Austin Youngblood (Isabel) of Greensboro, NC, helping Austin through the Boy Scout ranks to achieve Eagle Scout by building boxcars, fighting robots and more.

He is survived by wife Jane, daughters Blaine and Rebecca and grandson Austin as well as many other beloved family: 3 year old great-grandson Charlie Youngblood; sister Ann Jones (Bobby) of Savannah and brother Bill Salter (Karin) of Columbus SC / Sister-in-law Beth Dismukes (Terry) of Richmond Hill, GA and brother-in-law Jack Cantrell (Jan) of Savannah GA. Close cousin Chris Irwin (Ray) and Pendry McCoy (Scotty) of Sandersville. Nieces and nephews: Amanda Walker (Brian) of St. Simons, Amy Jones of Gainesville FL, Findlay Salter (Rebecca) of Columbia, SC, Chatham Dickerson (Johnny) of SC, and Cooper (Rachel) Salter of CA; Matthew Dismukes (Sonia) of Statesboro, GA, Oren Kyle Cantrell (Gin) of New York, Ben Cantrell of Brooklet, GA, Annie Regec (Chris) of Ashville, NC; God son Aaron Youngblood and a host of great-grand-nephews and great-grand-nieces and other cherished cousins. Screven is pre-deceased by beloved nephew Justin Dismukes, his parents Jim and Minnie Ann, and in-laws Jack and Colleen Cantrell.

The family will hold a private interment at the St. Francis cinerarium in Macon, GA, and a memorial service will be held for friends and family at Screven and Jane’s beloved “Cresent House” on Cedar Creek at 1139 Southeast Riverside Drive, Townsend, Georgia 31331, Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 10:30 AM.

Screven was a regular giver to St. Francis Episcopal Church, and he would be happy for Memorial gifts to be made to them.