Joe U. Salazar

Former resident of Embudo, New Mexico, Joe Salazar, 92, died June 18th, 2017, at St. Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe. New Mexico. Services will be held on Thursday, June 29, 2017, with a Rosary at 10:00 am at St. Francis Cathedral, and a Mass to follow at 11:00am. The Burial will be at 12:45pm at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Joe was born September 18, 1924 to Frances Fabian and Marcos Salazar in Alcalde, New Mexico. Joe was a humble man who honorably served his country as an airman in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. He was stationed in Burma and was the proud recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, 11 Air Medals and numerous other accolades. When he wasn’t wearing his favorite Stetson Hat, he could be seen proudly sporting his VA Cap. After the war he returned to New Mexico for a short time. Soon thereafter he and his wife, Ida, moved to Seattle, WA, where he worked for Boeing Aviation. They then moved to Los Angeles, CA, where he worked for many years for the Northrup Aviation Corp. He and his wife, Ida, and their son Tim returned to Embudo where he joined the Rio Arriba County Sheriff Dept. serving as Deputy Sheriff for nearly 15 years. His interests were many, including, but not limited to fishing, boating, sports, tending to his apple orchard and spending time at the local VA Lodge in Dixon. Above all, his greatest pleasure was spending time with his granddaughter, Simon Amelie. He is preceded in death by his wife, Ida, sister Bertha Sanchez, sister Helen Burelli and nephew Mark Sanchez. He is survived by his son, Tim Salazar, his wife Trulee Lauermann, and their daughter Simon Amelie, brother Mel Medina, sister Beverly Myers, several nieces, nephews, and cousins.