Jesus Salazar

Jesus Salazar, 62, died from injuries he sustained after being struck by another vehicle in a head on collision. The accident happened in Devine, Texas on Thanksgiving Day 2010 while his family was enjoying a morning drive.

Jesse as he was called by his family and friends grew up with and around the family Construction Company. He always mentioned how proud he was of all of the accomplishments the family business, Salazar Construction, Inc., had made throughout the years. Jesse served his country as Sergeant in the US Army and was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany assigned to the A. G. Administration Company and a part of B Battery 2nd Battalion 92 Artillery from March 1968 to March 1970. Funeral service will be held with full military honors.

Jesse was grateful for a second chance at life when he received a liver transplant from an unknown donor on December 11, 2009. He was an avid photographer and enjoyed fishing every chance he could get outdoors; along with travels to New York and Europe. He always enjoyed sitting with his family discussing the politics of everyday life, reliving his childhood memories with his family and humble upbringings, along with the old fashion way of living was truly his greatest joy. He never forgot his childhood friends and always cherished his mother’s cooking as they talked. His life was lived as he always believed SIMPLE.

He was employed by the Corpus Christi Army Depot as Branch Chief in the Mechanical Shop, Directorate of Components Production. He retired from CCAD (due only to his illness) after 31 years of service on July 30, 2010. Jesse felt lucky and proud he had built lasting friendships with employees at the depot.

He is preceded in death by his father, Manuel Cardial Salazar, mother Olivia De la Cruz Salazar, two brothers: Ismael “IC” Salazar and Manuel Elio Salazar, and a nephew Manuel Salazar, Jr.

He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Enedina, and his three sons: Daniel Ivan, Jesus Sergio and Omar Julian, foster daughter, Leah Mackey, and Godchildren: Hailey and Alexis Hernandez.

Jesse is also survived by one sister, Carmen Salazar (Abelardo R. Garza) three brothers, Isaac (Bertha), Ernest (Gloria), Carlos (Connie) Salazar, Dominga Salazar (wife and widow of IC Salazar, and who was a second mother to Jesse) and his maternal Tia, Theresa De La Cruz Lugo. He leaves behind numerous nephews and nieces, Eloy Salazar (Anna), Isidore Salazar (Zelda), Sylvia Benavides (Vincent), Gracie Pena (Rene), Cynthia Garza (Ernest), Ismael “J.R.” Salazar (Esther), Isabel Cavazos (Elias), Patricia Salazar, Jerry Salazar (Joyce), Isaac Jr., Diana Vargas (Ino), Albert, Eddie and Sammy Salazar, Ernest Salazar, Jr. (Isabel), Corinna Hoyle (Scott), Denissa Rosales, Carla Salazar, Melissa Yanez (Dan), and Randal M. Salazar.

Pallbearers shall be: Eloy A. Salazar, Ernest Salazar Jr., Randal M. Salazar, Greg L. Mendoza, Victor Martinez, and Eddie Miranda with Honorary Pallbearer Denissa Rosales.

A private service and viewing was held for the immediate family on December 16, 2010. Public visitation will be held at Memory Gardens Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, December 17, 2010 from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm with a prayer service to be held that same evening at 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at Primera Iglesia Bautista, 1509 Tarlton. Entombment will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.