Salvador F. Canchola, a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War and longtime El Paso resident, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 17th 2025 surrounded by his family. Sal was born on October 14, 1944 to Salvador and Helen (Jaime) Canchola in Williams, Arizona where he spent his formative years. He graduated from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff and chose to immediately volunteer and enlist in the armed services, which was family tradition. He pursued officer candidate school and moved up the ranks to become a Captain serving in the US Army Special Forces “Green Berets.” He was awarded numerous honors including the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, among others. Sal returned and married Barbara Navarro on June 28, 1969. They recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary and took a cruise to celebrate his 80th birthday to Italy and Greece. They were avid world travelers visiting all 7 continents.
He served as Executive Director of the Brownsville and El Paso Housing Authority. In addition, he was a project director for several community organizations in Texas and Arizona. He was active in veterans’ groups and proudly served as president of the Vietnam Veterans of El Paso. He enjoyed teaching classes for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UTEP.
Sal loved his family deeply and was always there to help a friend or neighbor in need. He could be the life of the party with his incredible recollection of history, dates, and travel. He is survived by his wife Barbara, twins Marcos and Gabriel, daughters-in-law Theresa and Cindy and grand-daughters Grace, Miranda and Alyssa. Also surviving are Navarro sisters- and brothers-in-law, as well as cousins and many friends in El Paso, Arizona and California and beloved Godson, Chacho Pichardo.
Services will take place at Queen of Peace on Tuesday, February 25th beginning with viewing at 10:30 a.m., Rosary at 11:00 a.m. and Mass at 11:30 a.m. with Burial at Fort Bliss National at 1:00 p.m. Reception to follow at Martin West Funeral Home.
