Francisco A Fierro

Francisco “Kiko” Fierro was born on a farm in Ysleta, Texas, where he grew up working the land and excelling in sports. A gifted athlete, he played football and baseball, and in 1953, he was invited to a preseason camp with the St. Louis Cardinals, playing second base. But when the farm needed him, he returned home without hesitation.

Later, a scout called him, furious that he had left. “We were about to sign you to the club!” the scout told him. But Kiko stood by his decision. “The farm needed me,” he said simply. Years later, he told his children, “If I had stayed, I wouldn’t have met your mom. So, it worked out better for me.”

He was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Berlin Crisis and re-drafted during the Cuban Missile Crisis. As SPC-4, he served with honor, escorting allied convoys through East Berlin and training in communications and code work in Fort Polk Louisiana.

After being drafted during the Berlin Crisis, SPC-4 Francisco Fierro served with distinction in Germany, where he was responsible for escorting and protecting U.S. and Allied convoys through the tense and divided landscape of East Berlin. His service placed him in the heart of Cold War volatility, where duty and vigilance were paramount. His faith in God was unwavering, and he lived by the words of Isaiah 6:8: “Here am I. Send me!”

During his time in Germany, Kiko had two unforgettable experiences. He was stationed alongside Elvis Presley, and the two struck up a friendship. As the story goes, they even made plans to visit Acapulco after their service. Kiko recalled telling him, “Give me your name and address, and we’ll go to Acapulco.” Though the trip never happened, the memory and a photo remained a cherished part of his life.

Another moment of great pride came when Kiko was assigned to escort Major Audie Murphy Ret., the most decorated American combat soldier of World War II, during a visit to Germany. Kiko guided Murphy into East Germany to visit a gravesite where some of Murphy’s fallen comrades were buried. At a time when tensions behind the Iron Curtain were dangerously high, Kiko’s mission was not only solemn but critical ensuring the safety of a national hero in a volatile zone.

He also served under General Hamlett, a leader he deeply respected, and often spoke of the honor it was to be part of such a pivotal chapter in U.S. military history.

After his service, Kiko became a well-known bachelor—famous for his dancing and charm—until he met and married the love of his life, Josephina Julieta Salgado. He fathered five children: Francisco Jr., Ernesto, Jaime, Rosa Maria, and Brunilda Ann.

Kiko built a legacy in concrete and steel. As a construction surveyor, he helped shape the infrastructure of El Paso, Texas. By 2010, he had contributed to 85% of the city’s roads, subdivisions, and highways, including over 270 bridges. His highlighted major projects were interstate I-10 and the four-level bridges “Spaghetti Bowl”, Hwy Loop 375, Hwy 54 “Patriot Highway”, the Cordoba international “Avenidas De America’s” bridge, and Transmountain Road. He took immense pride in his precision. After being complemented over the accuracy of his “Old School” conventional survey, Kiko famously told the young a GPS technician, “Accurate, Hell! You better get that thing calibrated—you’re off a half an inch!”

His Catholic faith was the foundation of his life. He often said, “Don’t worry about anything, God will take care of it.” This message comes from Matthew 21:21-22 “I tell you all with certainty, if you have faith and do not doubt… You will receive whatever you ask for in prayer, if you believe.” Events seemed to align for him in ways that defied explanation, and he met each moment with grace, humor, and trust in God.

Kiko had a deep and abiding love for nature, a passion he shared. He found wonder in the world around him, in the rhythm of the desert, the brilliance of a night sky, and the power of a summer thunderstorm. Whether lying on lawn chairs under the stars or opening the windows to enjoy a lightning show and the scent of rain, and the birth of a newborn grandchild, he taught us to pause and appreciate God’s creation. Camping trips were especially meaningful. He showed us how to hunt and fish, how to cook what we caught, and how to find joy in the simple quiet moments outdoors. Through these experiences, he gave us not just memories, but a lasting sense of awe and gratitude for the natural world.

Kiko lived fully and joyfully—dancing through life until the very end. As he once said, “You can either be alive to live, or live to be alive.”

Kiko is lovingly survived by his sons, Francisco Jr. and Jaime, his daughters, Rosa Maria and Brunilda Ann, son in-laws Andrew and Allen, and daughter in-laws Melissa Ann and Cecilia. His legacy continues through 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, each a living testament to the love, strength, and faith he carried throughout his extraordinary life.

A visitation for Francisco will be held Monday, June 23, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM with a rosary service at 11:00 AM at Hillcrest Funeral Home, 1060 North Carolina Drive, El Paso, TX 79915. A funeral mass will occur Monday, June 23, 2025 at 1:00 PM at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1050 N Clark Dr, El Paso, TX 79905. A graveside service will occur Monday, June 23, 2025 at 2:30 PM at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Ave, El Paso, TX 79906.