Visitation and celebration of life for Jeff Salisbury apparently has been scheduled for Thursday afternoon and evening at the Wayland High School Fine Arts Center, 870 East Superior St.
Salisbury, a longtime teacher, coach and community activist, died Sunday morning at his home at age 70 Shelly Salisbury Whitley, his daughter, posted on Facebook this afternoon that plans call for visitation from 4 to 6 p.m. and the celebration of life afterward.
Jeff was born in Lansing on Nov. 2, 1948. He graduated from Howell High School in 1967 and Michigan State University in 1980 with a bachelor of arts degree in journalism and education. In 1985 the family moved to Wayland where Jeff was hired by Wayland High School as a teacher and varsity football coach.
He retired from teaching in 2009. Jeff was active in his community and loved to serve. Not only did he mentor many football players in over five school districts, he coached both of his children in youth recreation sports from an early age. During his time at Wayland High School he served as president of Wayland Union Education Association, was Student Council advisor as well production of both the school yearbook and newspaper.
Jeff also served on Wayland Board of Education alongside his daughter, City of Wayland’s Planning Commission and Wayland’s Library Board. Most recently he was on the Board of Directors for Allegan County’s United Way. “Mr. Journalism” was also a blogger, a community activist, and a member of the Wayland Dems.
His greatest joy in life was spending time with any of his four grandchildren to who he was “Papa.” Upon retirement, Jeff loved spending one-on-one time with them whether it was sharing a breakfast, a movie, or driving “Papa’s taxi.” He knew just what his grandkids needed to hear or his “Papa Wisdom.”
It was remarkable that many other people outside his family he were affected by his empathy, kindness, and advice. Jeff could often be found on social media, reporting daily on the happenings of downtown Wayland, or fact-checking the latest news reports or working on his family tree.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Penny (Bain) Salisbury, their children Mike (Jill) and Shelly Whitley (Aaron); grandchildren Auston and Madalyn Whitley, Mitchell and Sarah Salisbury and his brother Joel Salisbury (April) of Albuquerque New Mexico and sister Jennifer (Salisbury) Norvey (Larry) of Battle Creek. He was preceded in death by his father, James L. Salisbury, his mother Ardith E. (Harwood) Salisbury as well as his beloved Aunt Betty Lou Salisbury.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Wayland Education Foundation or Allegan County United Way.