J. Julian Salazar

J. Julian Salazar, age 68, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, cousin and friend passed away surrounded by loved ones on September 20th, 2014, after a long battle with Cancer. He graduated from Santa Rosa High School in 1964. He moved to Las Vegas, NM to attend New Mexico Highlands University in 1964. An Union Ironworker by trade, Julian worked all over the Southwest until 1975 when he returned to Las Vegas to begin and instruct classes for the Welding and Blue Print Technology Department at Luna Vocational Technical Institute (LVTI) where he stayed until 1982. In the summer of 1982, Julian left LVTI to begin his own business Julian's Welding, specializing on pipeline and structural welding with contractors Ken Nowlin Construction, T Brown Construction and Franken Construction working on local projects building at the MDF plant, completion of I-25 in Las Vegas and Mike Marr Gym. Julian went on to work for the City of Las Vegas in Utility Administration, overseeing Solid Waste and Gas Departments until 1996. Always intrigued with taking on new challenges, Julian began to work in the ambulance field in 1991 with Aid Ambulance. Never wanting to settle, Julian worked from the basic EMT certification gaining his Paramedic degree from ENMU-Roswell in 1996. Julian went on to work as a Paramedic across New Mexico serving in the communities of Las Vegas, Santa Rosa, Tucumcari, Pecos, Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Julian also worked part time as a paramedic for Med Flight out of Albuquerque. In 1996, Julian decided to move back to his home West Puerto De Luna, NM, beginning to re work the family farm and do what he really loved which was raising animals, hay and anything that would grow in his garden. Farming and ranching was his true love and he worked every day on the farm until his body wouldn't allow it. Julian was heavily involved in his community serving as a Community Board Member with Community 1st Bank, West PDL Ditch association as well as the West Puerto De Luna Water Board. While attending Highlands, he met his 1st wife Concha Crespin. They were married in June 1968 and together, they raised their two sons in Las Vegas, NM. Concha passed away in November 1991. In 1996, Julian married his second wife Colette Encinias, they raised their one son Nickoli in Puerto De Luna, until Colette passed away in December 2009. Julian and family were blessed when his current companion Angie Moncayo came into his life. Angie was along his side throughout his journey having so many good memories helping him with his health issues, farming, feeding and most important raising Nickoli. Julian was born December 8th, 1945 in Tucumcari, NM to Ernesto and Romana Dodge Salazar and was raised in his beloved hometown West Puerto De Luna, NM. His Father and his Mother passed away at a very young age. After the passing of his parents, he was then raised by his grandparents Federico and Julia Salazar. Julian was preceded in death by his grandparents and his parents. Julian is survived by his three sons Ernesto J. Salazar and wife Dyanne, and Martin X. Salazar and wife Julie both of Las Vegas, and Nicoli Julian Salazar of Puerto De Luna NM. Companion Angie Moncayo of Puerto De Luna and her children Carla and Freddie. Survived by four grandchildren Rhiannon, Isaac, Xavier and Anthony. He is also survived by his sisters Romanita and husband Jon Campos of Rio Rancho, Inez Shessley and husband Larry of PA and a niece who he considered his Lil Sister Patricia Clemons and Jon of Los Lunas. Sisters and Brother in Laws Margie Seay, Josette and Archie Martinez, Tom and Vickie Crespin and Joan Crespin all of Las Vegas; Edward and Judy Arguello and Mike and Annette Crespin of Albuquerque,NM. Special Aunt Elena Dodge Madrid of Puerto De Luna and Uncles Tony Dodge of Santa Rosa and Domingo Dodge of Superior, AZ. Special friends Cecilio and Ann Page and Dr. Randy Brown all of Puerto De Luna whom he considered part of his immediate family. Julian is survived by numerous uncles, aunts, cousins nieces and nephews. Recital of Rosary will be Wednesday September 24th at 7 pm and Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday September 25th at 10 am in Puerto De Luna New Mexico at Nuestra Señora Del Refugio Catholic Church. Serving as Pallbearers will be Ramon Gallegos, Rudy Tenorio, Al Franken, Frank Gerhardt, Joe Gerhardt, Delfido Anaya Jr., Mike Fields, Patrick Flores and Jim Chandler. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be Andy Madrid, Cecilio Page, Abel Lucero, Mike Estrada, Archie Martinez, Manuel Valencia, Manuel Flores, and Florencio Gutierrez. The family requests memorials in Julian's memory to the Puerto De Luna Senior Citizen Center. All services have been entrusted to the Chavez Funeral Home of Santa Rosa. (575) 472-3369. To place an online condolence please go to www.chavezfuneralhome.com