Cimarron - Otto  Salem, 97, died October 14, 2021 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.  He was born on February 6, 1924 at Ellinwood, Kansas the son of Alex and Debly (Heymour) Salem.

The Salem family moved to Gray County in 1928 to a farm northeast of Cimarron. He graduated from Cimarron High School in 1944. He was a retired farmer, stockman and had also raised quarter horses. Mr. Salem served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, serving overseas in the Orient, as a medical technician. He married Aileen Wright on October 8, 1949 in Cimarron, she preceded him in death on July 9, 2010.

He enjoyed working with registered quarter horses and raising the frisky beautiful colts. Mr. Salem took pride in his work and in caring for his vehicles and machinery and serviced and repaired most of his machinery. He chose classy cars, and kept his vehicles shining and his old machinery in good repair. Mr. Salem also had a great appreciation for music. He sang his first base solo when he was a freshman in high school with others to follow. He was on the Blue Jay football team and a member of the band, playing the bass horn. He rarely ever missed taking Aileen to Sunday dinner. He enjoyed living in the quiet, peaceful country, and resting in the comforts of home.

He was a member of the Cimarron United Methodist Church, ASCS Committee and as a Gray County Assessor.

He is survived by three sisters Ida Fisher of Cimarron; Zina Hoover of Wichita and Joy Cosby of Haysville.

He was preceded in death by his parents , Brothers Bill, Marion, Hesson, Collid, Sam, George, Emmett, Joseph, and sisters; Lila DeHook and Rosie Simon.

Funeral service will be held at Cimarron United Methodist Church on Thursday October 21, 2021 at 1:00 PM with Rev. Mike Keating presiding.  Burial will follow at Cimarron Cemetery in Cimarron. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel in Cimarron on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 from 12:00 to 8:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to Cimarron United Methodist Church in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.