Salvador Olivas

Sal Olivas was born on April 29, 1941, and raised in Fabens, Texas, a little town outside of El Paso, along with 3 sisters, and 2 other brothers. Their Mom took them to a Baptist church every Sunday. His Dad died from TB when Sal was 10. His mom raised all the kids and worked lots of jobs to keep the family together. Sal was the oldest, then his sister Norrie, brother Freddy, sister Bea, sister Omega, and brother Jr. Sal had childhood asthma and would be very ill at times, missing school, sports and other activities that he loved. He would drive the family out to California during the summers to visit relatives and work various jobs. These were very tough times. When Sal graduated from high school, he moved to California, and started looking for a job. He was drafted into the Army and he went Airborne to Vietnam. Sal was a radio operator. He would tell the story of a hidden enemy snipper who would shoot someone every day in their camp. That sniper was never found. Another story was one day in the jungles, the soldiers had stopped to rest, and more soldiers came out of the clearing and stopped for a drink. As Sal looked across the area, he noticed a guy named Sal Rivera from his hometown. He could not believe it was the same guy. They talked for a short while, and then never saw each other again. Years later, Sal saw that same guy back in his hometown in Texas. But the guy had become a Christian, and asked Sal forgiveness, for dating Sal's sister Bea, in high school. It made a lasting impression on Sal, how much his old friend had changed for the better.

When Sal came back to Calif. he started working as a projectionist for Technicolor, and had various jobs in theaters. He went on an interview to work at Paramount Pictures. When the boss found out that Sal was Army Airborne, he said, Sal, where do you want to go to work? That boss had been Army Airborne also. Sal was blessed with work for 35 years in Los Angeles. Sal met many people through his work. He loved everyone and found them interesting. His favorite hero was a Christian man, WW2 hero, and Olympian, Louis Zamporini. They became friends and Louis had a great impact on Sal's life. Sal and Dawn met through a mutual friend in 1975. They married a year later in Santa Barbara, Ca. Sal raised a daughter, Heather, and son, Dillon. Sal has 2 grandchildren, Avery and Casey. He has a fabulous daughter in law, Kelly, and her very wonderful family, the Jones. Sal and Dawn moved to Acton in 1984. They loved the peace and nature there. Sal was extremely loving to Dawn's entire family and did everything he could for them. Sal felt he was a very blessed man and wanted to bless others.

Sal's life was changed when he decided to follow the call of Christ, through the Bible, and rededicated himself to live the Christian life in 1986 at a men's retreat. He continued to grow in the faith at Crown Valley Community Church. He grew to love God, and love others, generously giving and helping when he could. He willingly put his wife, family and others before himself. And as he got older, he just kept getting better, as he became more patient and neighborly. He tried to always follow the Golden Rule. He was quick to forgive and forget. Even though he was very sick at times, struggling to breathe, and on many medications, he did not complain, or give up. He was always light hearted and positive, most people did not realize how ill he became. He died at peace, ready, and satisfied that he had done his best. He fully expected to greet his Savior face to face. He knew he was forgiven and he gladly forgave others. He was respected as a man, and a friend, a hard worker, a husband, a brother, Dad, Grand Dad, and will be greatly missed by so many. Sal went to Heaven on March 20, 2015.

The family would like to thank everyone who has been so loving and kind, helpful and caring to Sal all of his life. You were a blessing to him and very dear.