Submitted by: John C. Monk

Sept. 6, 1931 - Jan. 18, 2008
SOUTH BEND - Jesus Salazar Jr., 76, was taken to eternal life on Friday, January 18, 2008. Jesus Jr., "Chuy," was born on September 6, 1931, in San Benito, Texas, to Jesus Sr. and Margarita Salazar. In 1951 he married Englentina Trevino. They were married for 55 years. Englentina preceded him in death on December 9, 2006. Chuy is survived by daughters, Alicia (Charles) Myers, Gloria (Freddie) Patterson and Angelina (Pete) Perez; sons, Juan (Sunny) Salazar and Joey Salazar; grandchildren, Anastacio Jr., Pete David, Chad Aaron, Joel, JinJu, Jessica and Juan Jr.; and a great-granddaughter, Anastacia. He is also survived by brothers, Alfredo Salazar, Jose (Gloria) Salazar, Lazaro Salazar, Lupe (Anne) Salazar and Benito (Berta) Salazar; sisters, Emma (Jerry) Healey, Susie (Ray) Bumgardner, Maria (James) Johnston, Beatrice (Harold) Boersma, Martha Salazar, Joyce (Roberto) Duran and Julia (Luis) Salazar. He was preceded in death by sons, Roberto, Peter and Jesus Salazar III; sisters, Dolores Garcia and Alicia Salazar; and by a great-grandson, Joseph. Daddy left so many memories to treasure. He would play the guitar and sing to mom and us "corridos" - Spanish love songs or songs that tell stories. We gathered around him on his bed as he played. His melodic voice would resonate through our parent's bedroom and his songs would captivate us. Many Sundays after church Daddy would take us on nature walks through the woods. He would share with us Native American Apache ancestry. On these walks he would teach us the names of flowers and plants. He would show us how he would track animals and about their habitats. He would also give us survival tips if we ever got lost in the wilderness. After our nature walks we would go home to a big breakfast the Lady had prepared for us. Our holidays were spent with the family. Songs, laughter, "Chalupa" Spanish Bingo, softball games, cards and cookouts were the norm for the Salazar family. Daddy was a storyteller. His vivid, animated stories would range from his childhood antics to ghost stories. He would hold his audience mesmerized. Daddy would finish his story and we would want to hear another. How we would love to hear his stories once again and we could laugh once more. His voice is now stilled but his memory among other things we can cherish and recall any time. When Daddy's soul left this world, he was surrounded by his children, family, friends, and loved ones. We believe Jessie came and took Dad to guide his soul to Eternal Life, just as Mom and Bobby came for Jessie 2 days before. "Daddy, in life as in death we Love you. In time we will be a family again, as God calls us one by one. Give the Lady, Bobby and Jessie hugs and kisses from us. Thank you for being our Father." Love, Alicia, Juan, Gloria, Angie and Joey An "Expression of Love" Memorial Service will begin at 6 p.m. today, January 24, 2008, in St. Joseph Funeral Home, 824 S. Mayflower Road, South Bend. Condolences for the family may be made at www.sjfh.net. Published in the South Bend Tribune from 1/23/2008 - 1/24/2008.