Salvador Valdivia, Sr

The city of Beaumont and the Pass Area said goodbye to lifetime resident and family Patriarch, Salvador Valdivia, Sr. Sal passed away after a brief battle with cancer. In the last few weeks of his life, he was visited by hundreds of family members and friends who came to reminisce with Sal about their lives together and to express their gratitude for the inspiration he provided to so many and the leadership he displayed within the family.

If someone ever deserved the title Mr. Beaumont, it certainly was Sal.

Salvador Dominguez Valdivia was born to Toribio Valdivia and Guadalupe Dominguez at their family home on B Street in the Barrio south of the tracks in Beaumont on July 13, 1927. Sal was the third of fifteen children.

Toribio and Guadalupe had fifteen children; Placido (Pompo), Margarita, Salvador (Negro), Carmen, Guadalupe (Cheeter), Grace (Nico), Sally, Francis (Tia Baby), Arturo (Tuti), Richard (Chory), Thomas (Chiquin), Harry (Queso, Sammy), David, Robert and Joseph, who died at birth.

Sal matriculated through the Beaumont School district starting at Wellwood School and graduating from the High School on 6th Street as part of the Class of 1945. Sal was a man for all seasons, he played Clarinet in the school band, was a member of the Varsity Club and participated in athletics. Sal was a Star Athlete for Beaumont, playing Baseball, Basketball, Football, Track and even Softball. Sal was an exceptional athlete and shined at Football. In 1943 and 1944, he was the team's Most Valuable Player. In Sal's senior year, he wore the Football Jersey Numbered 77, in tribute to the Great Chicago Bear halfback Red Grange "The Galloping Ghost". 1945 was Sal's senior year and Beaumont's football schedule saw games against, San Jacinto, Coachella twice, Palm Springs, blythe, Banning twice and Hemet. The Football Team brought a Seventh consecutive League Championship to Beaumont. It may have been the best offensive and defensive year Beaumont ever had. The season ended with Beaumont's total score 183 and opponents 6.

Sal met the love of his life, Palmita very early in his life, they first saw each other when Polly was in Eighth Grade at Nicolet and Sal was a Freshman at Beaumont High School, the sighting occurred at a dance at the Armory building on Ramsey Street prior to the annual football game between Beaumont and Banning. Polly remembers how handsome Sal looked in his black pants and white starched shirt. Their first dance together was a dance to "Begin the Beguine" by Cole Porter as it was performed by Artie Shaw. A Jitterbug to the song "In The Mood" by Glen Miller followed as they continued to dance through the night. Sal and Palmita Sanchez married on February 18, 1945, when both were 17 years old. The best man was Charlie Cardona and the maid of Honor was Kelly Flores. Padrino Chon and Madrina Molly were the Padrinos in the Church service.

In 1945 Sal was drafted into the Army and served one year stationed at several different locations including Fort Ord and Camp Roberts.

At the age of 12 years old, Sal started making adobe bricks and stacking them in his backyard. These bricks became the foundation and walls of his first home which he built with the help from friends and family. Just before he entered the service, he bought the property 482 B Street, right next door to his parents home. He paid fifty dollars for the property and made monthly payments of five dollars to pay off the property. Andy Chavez (the man for whom Chavez Elementary School was named) drew up the blueprints for the home which Sal would build on his property. When he had enough bricks, he began building his home. Sal and Polly moved into the home after they were married, but the house was not quite finished. When Sal returned from his service in the Army, Polly surprised him with the money she had earned picking fruit and almonds and cleaning houses and saved every penny along with the $89 a month check from the Army that was sent to Polly (Sal got an allowance of $10) this money accounted close to $900 dollars which was used to finish the house. At this time Sal and Polly moved in permanently.

Sal and Polly had four children; Sylvia Rita, Salvador Robert, Olivia Theresa and Michael Stephen.

Sal and Polly bought the first television across the tracks in Beaumont, there was another television in town at the liquor store on 5th Street across the street from the Bank of Beaumont.

In 1947, Sal scraped together a few dollars and purchased the property at 425 Egan and built the Four Corners Market which was the beginning of his career as a local Business owner. The market remained open until 1965. At the same time he was running his business, Sal also had full time employment at Builders Supply and Massey Sand & Gravel in Palm Springs working as a Concrete Dispatcher. In 1965, Sal opened Sal's Corral which remained open until 1981.

1948, Sal started the softball team in the Barrio that became known as the Coyotes and has lasted over 50 years.

1968, Sal joined Rotary and maintained his membership for over 30 years once serving as President.

1970-1974, Sal served on the Beaumont City Council.

1975, Sal was a Founding Member of the Laura May Stewart Foundation.

1976, Sal was honored by Banning Mexican American Scholarship Association with the "Special Service Award".

1976-1980, Sal was elected to Beaumont Cherry Valley Recreation and Park District.

1983-1993, Sal was elected to Beaumont Mexican American Scholarship Association Board.

1985, Sal was named Beaumont Citizen of the Year.

1995, Sal and Polly celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

1998, Sal was inducted into the southern California Latino Native American Hall of Fame.

2002, Sal was voted "Father of the Year" by the Inland Empire Hispanic News.

Sal served on the Pass Hospital foundation Board and was a Lifetime member of San Gorgonio Catholic Church.

Sal loved Beaumont, when he ran for City Council, he ran on a platform of improving the Barrio and bringing awareness to the City of Beaumont. Sal always encouraged his family to Shop locally and had choice words if he found out you were shopping out of town.

If you could say one thing about Sal, it was that he had a big heart. He gave everything that he had and sometimes a little more. His home was always full and no one was ever turned away, this kindness that he extended throughout his life was returned to him in the last few days when literally hundreds of people came to hold his hand and to say Thank You to him for touching their life in some unique way.

In the last day of his life, Sal was in the presence of his large extended family including, brothers, sisters, son, daughters and their spouses, cousins, nephews, nieces, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great granddaughter.

Visitation/Vigil Service Monday, December 26, 2011, from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM, Funeral Mass Tuesday, December 27, 2011, at 10:00 AM, both at Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church, 1234 Palm Avenue. Interment to follow at Mt. View Cemetery, 1315 Edgar Avenue, Beaumont, California.

Arrangements were entrusted to Weaver Mortuary, Beaumont, California.