Juan Salazar

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Juan Salazar, 86, entered peacefully into eternal rest on Saturday, September 22, 2018.  He was born on March 30, 1932 to Alfredo Salazar and Carlota Fernandez Salazar in San Benito, TX.

Juan proudly served in the 5th U. S. Army, Co. B, 40th Armored Division and completed two tours of duty in Vietnam (1964-1965, 1969-1970).  During his 22 years of distinguished military service, Juan was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, four Overseas Service Bars, Good Conduct Medal (six awards), National Defense Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster, Combat Infantry Badge, Army of Occupation Medal (Germany), and seven Service Stripes.

He was of the Catholic faith, an active member of St. Helen’s Catholic Church in Rio Hondo, TX, and a member of Catholic War Veterans Post 1109.

Juan was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Minerva Tolento Salazar; his siblings, Roberto Pena, and Adan Pena.

Left to treasure his memory are his children, Rosemary (Kyle Thornton) Salazar, Belia (Antonio) Valladares, and Noe (Hortencia) Tolento, Jr.; grandchildren Ana Alicia Tolento, Noe Michael Tolento, Antonio J. Valladares, Jr., Alex N. Valladares, Kyler A. Thornton, Kyden D. Thornton; sister, Elida Gracia; sisters-in-law, Olivia Beltran, Emma (Alex) Martinez, Cristela Gast; brother-in-law, Raul (Gloria) Montalvo.

The Salazar family will be receiving friends and relatives on Thursday, September 27, 2018 from 5:00 to 9:00 PM at San Benito Funeral Home.  A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 7:00 PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 28, 2018 at 10:00 AM at St. Helen’s Catholic Church in Rio Hondo, TX.  Juan will be laid to rest with Full Military Honors at Mont Meta Memorial Park.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are, Antonio Valladares, Antonio J. Valladares, Jr.,  Alex N. Valladares, Adam Mendoza, Kyle Thornton, and Noe Tolento, Jr.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to San Benito Funeral Home, 1400 W. Business 77, San Benito, TX.  (956) 361-9192 www.sanbenitofuneralhome.com