James Salazar

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JAMES (JIMMY) SALAZAR

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of James (Jimmy) Salazar on Saturday, July 17, 2021.  He passed away at his Santa Fe home surrounded by family and loved ones.  Jimmy was very well known and loved by many in Santa Fe.  Jimmy was born March 4, 1928 in Flagstaff, AZ, the son of Benjamin Salazar and Aurelia Gonzales.  He and Erneda Trujillo were married October 18, 1950 in Santa Fe.  He owned and operated Master Dry Cleaners for 47 years.  He was an active member of the Santa Fe Elk’s Lodge #460 and was also a member of the VFW and the American Legion, having served our country with the U.S. Army in Korea.   He also enjoyed  being a part of “the breakfast club”.  Jimmy is loved by many and will be deeply missed.

He was preceded in death by his son, James (Tiny) Salazar, Jr; his mother, Aurelia Gonzales; his father, Benjamin Salazar; his step-father, Lorin A. Gonzales; his sisters, Margaret Velarde and Mary Esther Gonzales; and his son-in-law, Mark D. Wray, Sr.

Jimmy is survived by his loving wife, Erneda Salazar of Santa Fe; daughter; Liz Wray of Santa Fe; daughter, Michelle Salazar Lucas of Albuquerque; grandchildren, Erica Griego (Daniel Griego) of Albuquerque, Mark Wray Jr. (Leslie Griego) of Albuquerque, Eisha Wray Romero (Rick Romero) of Santa Fe, Wyndra Campbell of Albuquerque, and Emerson Salazar Lucas of Albuquerque; brother-in-law (whom the family raised), James (Mooch) Trujillo (Elizabeth Trujillo) of Santa Fe; and his sister, Lorraine Ortega (Cecil Ortega) of Santa Fe.

Deacon Andy Carrillo will lead the Holy Rosary at 6:00 pm Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at Rivera Family Kiva Chapel.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 pm Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at St. Anne Catholic Church.  Interment with full military rites will follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery.

Pallbearers will include Mark Wray, Jr, James Trujillo, Jr, Dominic Paschel, Michael Trujillo, Ernie Sutliff, and Chito Sanchez.  Honorary Pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Erica Griego, Elisha Wray Romero, Wyndra Campbell, Emmie Salazar Lucas, Dorothy Mendoca, Deborah Trujillo, Monica Chapman; and great-grandchildren, Joey Doolittle, Kaylee Dorgan, Albert James Wray, Dominic Romero, Thomas Wray, and Killian Campbell; and all his nieces and nephews.

His family has requested memorial contributions be offered in his name to      St. Anne Catholic Church or Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.