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Longtime Santa Rosa Commissioner Don Salter Passes Away
August 21, 2023
Former Santa Rosa County Commissioner Don Salter passed away Sunday morning.
Salter was born in Jay in 1947.
He attended Troy State University and graduated with a master of science degree in management. After graduating, Salter proudly served his country as a United States Army paratrooper from 1965 to 1968. His last 15 months in Vietnam were served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade as a combat platoon sergeant where he was awarded the bronze star medal.
Upon leaving the Army, Salter started his career with the Gulf Power Company where he quickly moved up to serve as the Santa Rosa County District Manager. He retired from Gulf Power in 2000 after 32 years of service.
After retiring he decided to run for county commissioner to continue serving the county he loved. He was first elected in November 2000 and then re-elected in 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016. He served as chairman in 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2020.
As a county commissioner, Salter was instrumental in economic development, agriculture, military and veteran affairs. He worked for many years protecting and enhancing military installations, especially NAS Whiting Field.
Over a span of more than 20 years, Salter was involved in many community organizations. He was the founder of the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Plaza. He also served as chairman of the Emerald Coast Honor Flight, the Santa Rosa Initiative Committee and the Santa Rosa Military Advisory Council.
Salter received many leadership awards including the Community Leader of the Year Award, Santa Rosa County Hall of Fame Award, Santa Rosa County Man of the Year Award, Spirit of Santa Rosa Award, Friend of Agriculture for Santa Rosa County, and the Business Leader of the Year Award, among others.
In 2022, Don Salter Boulevard leading into the Whiting Aviation Park was named in his honor.
Comments
6 Responses to “Longtime Santa Rosa Commissioner Don Salter Passes Away”
I had the pleasure to serve with Commissioner Salter on the Military Affairs Committee for Santa Rosa Country as well the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Park Foundation Board of Directors.
As a political leader Commissioner Salter was heads and shoulders above the pack.
In short he knew his people and they knew him.
We will not see the likes of him for long time to come.
Farewell to this patriot, Soldier of the Republic and community leader.
Semper Fidelis
Memory Eternal
V/R
ER
Seems to me that vDon Salter lived in Cottage Hill when younger and went to Tate for a while.
His family should be proud of his service and many good deeds.
A good life for sure.
He served our country and our county with honor and dignity…Prayers to all his friends and family.
Thank you for your service to our country and to our county. Prayers for the family.
Don Salter was a fine commissioner. The best Santa Rosa county ever had. He truly had the best interests of his district in mind, and what was good for the county. Unlike the commissioners Santa Rosa has today, Don would have never voted for all these high density subdivisions with no thought as to the burden on infrastructure. He was my commissioner many years a was an upright man with integrity. He will be missed.