Reverend Salem George Saloom

He is survived by his wife Dianne Bolanos Saloom of Evergreen, his son Patrick Salem Saloom of Brewton, twin brother B. George Saloom (Deborah) of Atlanta, Ga., sister Georgetta Jones (Billy) of Enterprise, Ala., sister-in-law Karen Saloom of Brewton and several nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents George Burgess Saloom and Shames Margaret Wehbie Saloom, and his brother Jimmy George Saloom.

Dr. Saloom grew up in Enterprise, Ala., and attended Birmingham Southern, earning a degree in chemistry and mathematics. He entered medical school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and was certified in general surgery. He began his residency at the University of South Alabama Medical Center and was hired by Dr. Robert Smith to join his surgical practice at D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital in Brewton in 1979. Dr. Saloom lived and practiced in Brewton more than several decades, leaving Surgical Associates of Brewton in about 2016. He continued to do some work part time in the region.

He became active in medical mission work about 1999, serving people in need in Haiti, Egypt, the West African nation of Togo, and Honduras.

He was known as a man of great compassion and great faith with a servant’s heart in all his endeavors.

Dr. Saloom was a lifelong Episcopalian, and was a leading member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Brewton for many decades. He served as senior warden, chalice bearer, and vestry member. His deep faith led him to approach church leadership expressing his calling to enter the ministry. He was first certified as a lay preacher and spoke at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., followed by his ordination as a priest in October, 2025. He pastored a congregation near Atmore, St. Anna’s Episcopal Church, and loved the people there dearly.

His environmental efforts were extensive, with award winning work as a TREASURE Forest owner, certified Tree Farm owner with his managed property near Evergreen named National Tree Farm in the year in 2010. He served on the American Forestry Foundation Board, Longleaf Alliance, Alabama Forestry Commission and the Forever Wild Board and worked with the Nature Conservancy. He was featured in a National Geographic video, used to help educate congressional members regarding USDA programs for forestry.

Dr. Saloom had many interests and enjoyed hunting, fishing, beekeeping and woodworking and recently cattle farming, but turkey hunting was far and above his passion.

Due to space considerations, funeral services will take place at Christ Episcopal Church in Pensacola at 2 pm Friday, Aug. 7 with visitation following.

A Celebration of Life and Committal will take place on Nov. 1 at 3 p.m. at the farm near Evergreen as a continuation of the annual Worship in the Woods held at the farm that he so dearly cherished.

In lieu of flowers, family members ask that memorial donations be made to his favored charities, including The Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast School for Ministry in Pensacola, Fla; Wilmer Hall Children’s Home in Mobile, Ala. and Beckwith Camp and Conference Center in Fairhope, Ala.