Friday, April 26, 2024
Robert F. (Bob) Salter, Sr., age 88, of Gatesville, passed away on Monday, November 14, 2022, in Gatesville.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, at Scott’s Funeral Home Chapel, with Dr. Levi Price officiating. The family will receive visitors one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Interment will be at Restland Cemetery. For those unable to attend, Mr. Salter's funeral services will be livestreamed at the link below his obituary page at www.scottsfh.com.
Robert Frederick Salter was born on May 17, 1934, in Jacksonville, Florida to the late Walter H. and Laverna Collins Salter. He graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in 1952. He attended Stetson University from 1952 through 1955. He then entered the U.S. Army and was stationed at Ft. Hood. He was honorably discharged in 1957. While at Ft. Hood, he met Lynita Steward and they married in 1957, and moved to Jacksonville, Florida. While in Jacksonville, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville University in 1960. He then entered Baylor School of Law and received his Juris Doctorate Degree in 1963. He joined Byron McLellan Law Firm in Gatesville in 1963 and later transitioned into his own law practice, that he served at until his retirement in 2005.
He was elected to the 60th Legislature of the Texas House of Representatives, where he served three consecutive terms. As a state representative, he wrote House Bill 121 that created Texas State Technical Institute (TSTI). He served on the appropriations committee for his three terms of office. He was the chairman of the insurance committee for his three terms of office. He tried a case for the Texas Youth Council in front of the U.S. District Court with Judge William Wayne Justice presiding. He was instrumental in establishing the water supply from Belton Lake to the City of Gatesville. He served as the City Attorney for the City of Gatesville for 31 years, from 1974 to 2005.
He was a Deacon and member of First Baptist Church of Gatesville, where he was active in the choir and taught Sunday School class for 40 years. He was a member of Gatesville Masonic Lodge #197 A.F. & A.M. and the Waco Karem Shrine.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Gaston Salter, Rev. Walter H. Salter, Jr. and a sister, Laverna McKinney.
Bob is survived by his wife of 65 years, Lynita Salter; sons, Robert F. Salter, Jr. and wife, Sherry, Charles Salter and wife, Sheila, Steve Salter and wife, Stacia; six grandchildren, Katelyn Stewart, Courtney Salter, Shelby Salter, Alan Salter, Luke Salter and Zach Salter; and three great-grandchildren, Dallas, London and Rilee.
In lieu of flowers, the family has designated that memorials be made to First Baptist Church, 912 E. Main Street, Gatesville, TX 76528.
