James 'Salt' Duval

[1pocket]

I am sorry to say I heard from a family member that long time Bay area pool player James 'Salt' Duval died yesterday. I only met him at Derby City, and he came to several of our HOF dinners there. We hit it off because he really enjoyed the history of the game and the players of old. We talked on the phone many times, where he would share tidbits of 'back-stories' with me -- some recent and some relating to days long past. I always enjoyed talking and hanging out with him.

The photo below is a Diana Hoppe photo taken at one of our HOF dinners with his pal Francisco Bustamante.

I will pass along memorial information as soon as I hear details. I actually interviewed Salt a couple of years ago, so I will try to get that up as part of a memorial page. I know many of you guys that played in CA over the last 50 years would have known him much better than me, but I know him enough to know he was a great guy and will be terribly missed.

 

[Cuebuddy]

Sorry to here about the loss of your friend. Salt was no doubt interesting man.
RIP Salt.

 

[ABall]

Oh no this is very sad new. Salt was a friend of mine here in the Bay Area. I'd always sit and listen to his stories he had about all kinds of pool players and hustlers. I will miss him. I got a picture with him recently, and I have one of him with John Henderson and Bucktooth. RIP my friend!!!!!!

 

[Fast Lenny]

Sorry to hear this. I really liked James myself when I met him the couple times I was at California Billiard Club. Super nice guy and enjoyable to talk to, always friendly to me. RIP James.

 

[1pocket]

Oh no this is very sad new. Salt was a friend of mine here in the Bay Area. I'd always sit and listen to his stories he had about all kinds of pool players and hustlers. I will miss him. I got a picture with him recently, and I have one of him with John Henderson and Bucktooth. RIP my friend!!!!!!

Man, that is a great photo to see with three legends of CA pool!! That is a ton of pool history right there!!

 

[jrhendy]

Salt

Very sad to hear this. Salt was always fun to be around, knew everyone, and like all of us old guys, his game got better with age.:grin:

He had more than one nickname. Years ago he was also known as "The Martian". I never did know how he got that handle.

R.I.P. Salt.

 

[Hidy Ho]

Damn it ... I thought he was the type that will live forever.

See u on the other side Salt!!!

 

[barking4action]

The stories he could tell. He was a very nice man!

 

[real bartram]

I am sorry to say I heard from a family member that long time Bay area pool player James 'Salt' Duval died yesterday. I only met him at Derby City, and he came to several of our HOF dinners there. We hit it off because he really enjoyed the history of the game and the players of old. We talked on the phone many times, where he would share tidbits of 'back-stories' with me -- some recent and some relating to days long past. I always enjoyed talking and hanging out with him.

The photo below is a Diana Hoppe photo taken at one of our HOF dinners with his pal Francisco Bustamante.

I will pass along memorial information as soon as I hear details. I actually interviewed Salt a couple of years ago, so I will try to get that up as part of a memorial page. I know many of you guys that played in CA over the last 50 years would have known him much better than me, but I know him enough to know he was a great guy and will be terribly missed.

Sorry to hear this
I really liked talking with salt
Funny guy and loved pool
Rip

 

[12squared]

...Years ago he was also known as "The Martian". I never did know how he got that handle.

R.I.P. Salt.

John,

Maybe because his striking resemblance of Ray Walston from "My Favorite Martian" TV show??? (picture below). He was certainly one of my favorites.

Salt loved to rehash the time he steered Dan (last name will be withheld) to play Billy Johnson (aka Wade Crane). Dan would steam every time he'd talk about it in front of him.

RIP Salt. I wish I could have been around him a little more in the last 12 years and hear more stories, he even would show me a shot every now and then. The last time I ran into him was at DCC either 2004 or 2006 I can't remember.

Dave