Emilio Salinas Jr., aka “Sal”, “Emi”, “Dad”, “Poppie”, “Compadre”, “the Frito Bandito” (or as he would say, ‘Sweet, Sweet, Daddy), was born on 10/4/1937 and passed away on 5/3/2021. He was born in Brownsville, Texas, then joined the U.S. Air Force and served in Vietnam. He married the love of his life, Mary Jane Moore, and oh, how he loved her! They settled in Bossier City, Louisiana, where they raised their family- Rick, Esther, Lisa, and Greg.
Emilio was a funny, quick-witted compadre who loved singing, food (especially Fritos and Coca-Cola), singing, dancing, the outdoors, hanging out with his close friends and family, and singing. Did we mention singing? He would often announce to the world before heading out, “Look out world, here I come!”
He loved interacting with people and easily connected with them. He loved deeply. He instilled a family bond to defend one another and always taught to treat others with respect. His children were never allowed to fight, and he set that example by always being positive and available for them. (However, he did often look at Rick and Greg and call them “UGleason” (ugly son)), or blame his stinky habits on his dead dog, Kiki, then yell, “Yucky to the max!” When the grandkids were going over, it was not unusual for him to say, “Lock the refrigerator, the grandkids are coming.” Once they showed up, he would answer the door with, “Who you is?” He loved wrestling with the grandkids teaching them to “Fight like a man” or “Ka-boom to the moon!” Once getting the grandkids riled up, he would say, “Who’s having fun in my house? You can have no fun in my house!”
In addition to family, Emilio considered serving his country in the U.S. Air Force as one of his greatest successes. So after retiring from the military of 21 years, he went to work at Overton Brooks VA Medical Center where he serve his fellow veterans. While working at the VA, he was selected as the first Hispanic Coordinator and chartered the first LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) in Louisiana to promote Hispanic awareness. The goal of LULAC was to raise money for scholarships. He also sat on the Board of Multicultural Center in Shreveport where his personal items still remain on display. Emilio was also a Free and Accepted Mason (Past Master Atkins Lodge 266, Taylortown, LA).
Emilio also loved his compadres. He got together with them every chance he could and they helped to encourage him to unite the community. He and his friends were instrumental in starting the first bilingual radio station in Shreveport.
His love, contagious laugh, boisterous singing, quick-wittedness, and comical phrases will be forever cherished. Services for Emilio Salinas Jr. will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 10, 2021 at Hill Crest Funeral Home, 601 Highway 80, Haughton, LA 71037, with Pastor Tim Simons presiding. Interment will follow with Full Military Honors. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 9, 2010 at Hill Crest Funeral Home.
He is preceded in death by his parents Emilio Salinas and Esther E. Salinas and his wife of 55 years Mary J. Salinas; He will be sorely missed and is survived by his four children Emilio R. (Tina) Salinas, Esther (Byron) Comb, Lisa (David) LaRue, Gregory (Tammy) Salinas; ten grandchildren Tiffani Comb Tyson, Thomas (Melanie) Comb, Madison (Daniel) Kennedy, Matthew Salinas, Jacob LaRue, Michael Salinas, Christian LaRue, and Marissa Salinas; four great-grandchildren Landry Tyson, Kinsley Tyson, Holt Tyson, Marian Comb; uncles, Arnold Salinas, Richard Salinas, brother, Joe Salinas, and dear cousins, nieces, nephews, and family friends.
His grandsons and great-grandson will serve as his pallbearers.
The Salinas family would like to express gratitude to their extended family-in-heart Steve and Shelley Chamberlain, Jason and Melissa Dolan, Chuck and Eue Partin, and Vicki Woodall.
We love you and will miss you our Sweet, Sweet, Daddy!
“Para siempre en nuestros corazones”
