Salvador V Salas

Salvador Valentino Salas (Sal), born on February 14, 1950 to Salvador Sr. and Nora Salas in Alamogordo, New Mexico. On December 22, 2020, Sal went to heaven after losing his brave battle against COVID- 19. Sal was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, son-in-law, teacher and friend to many.

Sal grew up in Alamogordo, New Mexico where he graduated from high school in 1968. After graduation, he pursed his passion for teaching and invested one year at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico before deciding to join the United Stated Navy. After four years serving his country, Sal re-enrolled at New Mexico State University and Graduated with a degree in Art Education allowing him to fulfill his dreams of education and sharing his passion for the arts. He continued on to earn his master’s degree in Fine Arts from Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado. His teaching Career lead him to Grand Junction, CO. where Sal married Kathy Gallegos in 1987, and then welcomed a son, Paul Michael Salas, in July 1989.

Sal’s career in education began and ended with Mesa County School District 51 in Grand Junction, Colorado where he taught for 32 years. He taught at East Middle School, Mt. Garfield middle school and finished his teaching career at Grand Junction High School.

Sal especially enjoyed teaching art because of the positive change he knew it could make in his students’ lives. Not all of them had aspirations of being artists, but they sought his class because Sal had such a way of teaching and made a point to help every student realize that they had potential if they set their mind to it. It was not unusual to hear students from past years comment on their favorite teacher Mr. Salas. They not only loved his class, they loved the dedicated man who took a genuine interest in every single one of them.

Sal had many acknowledgments over his 32 year career with Mesa County School District 51 and leaves us with a legacy of kindness and community. He touched the hearts of many students and peers who would years later would approach him just to say hello and reminisce about the good times passed. He always took time to visit and share kind words.

Sal was preceded in death by his parents, Salvador Sr. and Nora Salas, and his sister, Aurora Avila. Sal is survived by his wife Kathy G. Salas, son Paul Michael Salas; brother Luis Salas (Sylvia), nephew Luis Jr. Salas, niece Alicia Mondragon (Kevin), parents-in-law Gilbert and Marian Gallegos, and brother-in-law Michael R. Gallegos.

Salvador Valentino Salas was a gifted and talented man who taught us all how to appreciate life in a creative and enthusiastic way. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and all that had the pleasure of sharing time with him.

Due to limitations on social gathering because of COVID-19, a celebration of life ceremony will be held at a later date.