In Memoriam: Tom Salome

Scrap industry veteran Thomas Gabriel Salome Jr. of Waco, Texas, died Feb. 26 at the age of 89.

Salome was born in 1932 in Dallas just before his family moved to Waco. In 1954 he graduated from the Baylor University Business School with degrees in economics and accounting. He then entered the U.S. Air Force as a second lieutenant and was honorably discharged in 1957 as a first lieutenant. Upon returning to Waco, he joined M. Lipsitz & Co. and began his 63-year career in the recycling business.

Over the years, Salome was active in the Institute of Scrap Iron and Steel (today known as the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, or ISRI) and served as the association’s president of the Gulf Coast Chapter from 1974 to 1976 and as chair on its Finance Committee. He later served as chair of ISRI’s Convention Committee.

In 1988, Salome received the Gulf Coast Chapter’s Israel Proler Award in recognition of his service to the chapter and his leadership, achievement and contributions to the recycling industry. ISRI also honored him in 2010 with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Up until his death, he served as the chairman of the board of M. Lipsitz & Co., which employs more than 300 people.

According to his obituary, Salome made time to be continually active in community affairs as well. He served on nonprofit boards of local and out-of-state organizations to chairing and fundraising events. He led a fundraiser for Waco Chamber of Commerce’s green building, which raised $7.4 million and prompted the Chamber of Commerce to name the building the Salome Commerce Center in his honor. Other interests he had included Marsal Arabians that he and his wife, Martha, operate. He also coached Little League for more than 12 years, was an avid orchid grower, a huge Baylor Bear fan and a partner in many real estate ventures in Waco and throughout Texas.

Salome was predeceased by his parents Annie and Tom Sr.; his brother, George; sisters, Genevieve Salome Elliot and Christine Salome Laboeuf; infant grandson, Collin; and son, Richard Salome.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Martha; his sons, Thomas (Bud) III and wife Anne; Robert (Bobby) and wife Dana; Greg and wife Karen; his grandchildren, Thomas (Rell) IV and wife, Margaret (Meg); Stanton and wife Ashley; Cameron and wife Ashton; Eric and wife Mandy; Chandler and fiancée Krystin; Clayton and wife Gemmë; Ryan and wife Kirby; Devon and wife Brianna; and Cody Salome. His great-grandchildren, Thomas (Cinco) V; Samuel, Corbin, Kennedy, Dean, Cooper, Daniel, Liam, and Brinley; sister, Ann Salome Bechtel; numerous nephews and cousins; and special lifelong friends the Lipsitz family and all the personnel of M. Lipsitz & Co.

In lieu of flowers, Salome’s family has requested memorials be sent to the following locations:

• St. Louis Catholic Church at 2001 N. 25 St., Waco, Texas 76708;
• Mission Waco at 1315 N. 15 St., Waco, Texas 76707;
• Fuzzy Friends Rescue at PO Box 20966, Waco, Texas 76702; or
• charity of your choice.