Salvador Valentino Salas
Obituaries
Daily Sentinel page 3D - January 10, 2021
Salvador Valentino Salas
“Sal” was born February 14,
1950, to Salvador Sr. and Nora
Salas in Alamogordo, New
Mexico. On December 22,
2020, Sal went to heaven after
losing his brave battle against
COVID-19. Sal was a beloved
husband, father, brother, uncle,
son-in-law, teacher, and friend to many.
He grew up in Alamogordo, New Mexico, where he graduated
from high school in 1968. After graduation, he pursed his passion
for teaching and invested one year at New Mexico State University
in Las Cruces, New Mexico, before deciding to join the United
Stated Navy. After four years serving his country, Sal re-enrolled
at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in
Art Education allowing him to fulfill his dreams of education and
sharing his passion for the arts. He continued on to earn his master’s
degree in Fine Arts from Adams State University in Alamosa,
Colorado. His teaching career lead him to Grand Junction, CO,
where Sal married Kathy Gallegos in 1987, and then welcomed son,
Paul Michael Salas, in July 1989.
Sal’s career in education began and ended with Mesa County
School District 51 in Grand Junction, Colorado where he taught
for 32 years. He taught at East Middle School, Mt. Garfield Middle
School and finished his teaching career at Grand Junction High
School.
Sal especially enjoyed teaching art because of the positive change
he knew it could make in his students’ lives. Not all of them had
aspirations of being artists, but they sought his class because Sal
had such a way of teaching and made a point to help every student
realize that they had potential if they set their mind to it. It was not
unusual to hear students from past years comment on their favorite
teacher, Mr. Salas. They not only loved his class, they loved the
dedicated man who took a genuine interest in every single one of
them.
Sal had many acknowledgments over his 32 year career with
Mesa County School District 51 and leaves us with a legacy of
kindness and community. He touched the hearts of many students
and peers who would years later approach him just to say hello and
reminisce about the good times passed. He always took time to visit
and share kind words.
Sal was preceded in death by his parents, Salvador Sr. and Nora
Salas, and sister, Aurora Avila. He is survived by wife, Kathy
G. Salas; son, Paul Michael Salas; brother, Luis Salas (Sylvia);
nephew, Luis Jr. Salas; niece, Alicia Mondragon (Kevin); parentsin-law, Gilbert and Marian Gallegos, and brother-in-law, Michael
R. Gallegos.
Salvador Valentino Salas was a gifted and talented man who
taught us all how to appreciate life in a creative and enthusiastic
way. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and all that
had the pleasure of sharing time with him.
Due to limitations on social gathering because of COVID-19, a
celebration of life ceremony will be held at a later date.
