Doniscio Alexander Salazar

Doniscio Alexander “Don” Salazar was born May 14, 1931 in Mobile, Alabama to Alexander and Helenia (Parker) Salazar. Don passed away peacefully in his Portland, Oregon home with family at his side on August 18, 2023, at the age of 92.

Don’s father and mother moved his family to Portland from St. Louis, Missouri in 1942. He took a job at Jake’s Famous Crawfish in downtown Portland, beginning as a busboy at age 14 before he joined the Air Force when he came of age. Mr. Salazar served honorably from March 1950 to November 1952, discharged as an Airman Third Class after having served in the Korean Conflict and earning a Korean Service Medal and United Nations Service Medal.

Upon his return to civilian life, he took the position of plant manager at West Coast Picture Frame Company, a manufacturing plant that produced molding and picture frames, and worked there for many years. During his time at West Coast, he also started working as property manager of the Fontaine Condominiums, and remained employed there upon his passing, having given Fontaine residents (who became like a second family to Don, with love and respect on both sides) 49 years of service.

In his free time (and there wasn’t much!), he enjoyed woodworking and making repairs on anything and everything. If it could be fixed, Don could fix it.

If asked, Don would tell you the proudest moments of his life were the births of his three children. Don and his wife Darlene had three children, and there were almost always foster children being raised under their roof. The Salazar family had big hearts and took care of others when possible, including their foster families and donations to organizations in need.

Don was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife Darlene (Walker) Salazar, with whom he had enjoyed 62 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Portanate Bell, and by brothers Tomas Salazar and Benito Salazar.

He will be remembered by:

Children LaLonnie Salazar, Lori McKinney, and David Salazar; grandchildren Jennifer Zerfing, Ashton Woodard, Taylor Woodard, Alex Salazar, and Mario Salazar; great-grandchildren Axel Zerfing, Vaughn Woodard, and Calvin Woodard; siblings Sevellia (Silvie) Salazar and Waldreia (Wally) Tibbit.

Part of Don’s heritage is Hawaiian, so the family asks that guests feel free to wear their favorite Hawaiian attire at his service as a gesture of respect.

A funeral service will take place on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 12:00 pm Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 11801 SE Mt. Scott Blvd. in Portland. A committal with honors will follow at Willamette National Cemetery at 1:30 pm. All guests will then be welcome to join the family back at Lincoln Memorial for refreshments and fellowship.