Mariano Mireles Salazar

Mariano Mireles Salazar, 84, born February 13, 1929 to Pasqual and Victoria Salazar in Cheapside, Texas, passed away May 25, 2013 in Houston. Mr. Salazar was preceded in death by his parents and 13 siblings. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Catarina Salazar; sons, Mariano Salazar Jr. and wife, Magdalena, Ray Salazar, Ernest Salazar, Joseph Salazar, and Paul Salazar; 22 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; brother, John Salazar and wife, Lupe, and by numerous nieces, nephews, other family, and friends.

Mr. Salazar served his country proudly in the U.S. Army, doing two stints as a medic from 1949 till 1953. He moved to Houston in 1953 and became a resident of the Houston Heights for the rest of his life. For 20 years Mariano was a permanent deacon for Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Houston. He retired from Houston Community College in 1995, giving him extra time to enjoy his wife and family, to whom he was so dedicated, and to travel with his wife wherever she wanted to go. Mariano never met a stranger, and he was always ready to offer advice, whether it was needed or not! He had a good word for everyone, and will be dearly missed.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, May 30, 2013 in the Chapel of Heights Funeral Home, where a rosary vigil service will begin at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 31, 2013 at All Saints Catholic Church, 215 East 10th Street, Houston, Texas 77008. Interment will follow in Houston National Cemetery, Houston, Texas.