John Raymond Salazar

John was born on October 8th, 1963 as the youngest child of 7 to Richard Salazar and Romana Sanchez. He grew up on the East Side of Austin and spent his youth bicycling, fishing, and playing baseball.

He received his GED from Austin Community College and went to work as security for several different companies. He had a deep love for the Austin Public Libraries and worked for the City of Austin as Library Security and a Library Clerk.

John was also a published author. He wrote a short story titled “East Side Stories” that was included in a community partnership project sponsored by the University of Texas Humanities Institute's public humanities programs. The book is called Writing Austin’s Lives, a Community Portrait Written by the People of Austin. John wrote about his life growing up as a young Mexican American boy in East Austin. John was also actively involved in Little League Baseball as a coach and umpire, and was a Leader in the Boy Scouts of America.

John is preceded in death by his parents Richard Salazar and Romana Sanchez as well as his brother Joe Louis Salazar. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Veronica “Bonnie” Salazar, his siblings Richard Salazar, Sofia Sepeda, Jimmie Salazar, Mary Sepeda, and Juanita Lopez. He is also survived by his children John Abraham Salazar, Roman Elias Salazar and Olga Raquel Salazar. John is lovingly called “Pa” by his daughter in laws Jessica Shells Salazar, Christine Sillero and his 4 grandchildren Helena Rae Salazar, John Giddeon Salazar, Elias Romero Salazar, and Magdalene Mae Salazar with his future granddaughter on the way.

The family would like to thank Hospice Austin, San Jose Catholic Church and all of John’s medical team for their guidance and support.

Family and friends are invited to attend the Visitation on Wednesday September 2nd starting at 5PM with a Rosary following at 7PM. Visitation and Rosary will be held at Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home, 2620 S Congress Ave in Austin.

Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday September 3rd at 11AM at San Jose Catholic Church, 2435 Oak Crest Ave, with Internment to follow.