David Salas

David M. Salas, Sr.
A rosary is scheduled for 7:00 pm, Monday, December 3, 2012 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church for David M. Salas, Sr., 73, who passed away Tuesday, November 28, 2012, in Roswell. A funeral mass is scheduled for 10:00 am Tuesday, December 4, 2012, also at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Father Gonzalo Moreno will officiate the Mass. David will be laid to rest at South Park Cemetery following the mass.
David Salas was born June 9, 1939, in Roswell, to Gregorio and Delfida Salas. His parents preceded him in death, as did his beloved wife, Sesarita Mary Baby Salas. Four brothers and two sisterinlaws also preceded him in death: Ruben and Emma Pineda, Jim and Mary Pineda, Fred Salas and Joe Salas. His three sisters and spouses also preceded him in death: Velia and Julio Flores, Annie and Ralph Vasquez and Oralia and Eloy Ortega. His sole surviving sister, Vitalia Gonzales and her husband Johnny, reside in San Antonio, TX. Davids children preceding him in death were: Tony, Jerry, and Bobby Barela, and baby Ginny. A grandson, Bobby Ray Contreras, Jr. and greatgrandson Eric Robert Contreras, Jr.
His surviving children are Ginnie Salas, Greg Salas and his fianc, Kathleen Trujillo, and Melinda Hernandez of Lewisville, Texas. He is also survived by Kelley Hayes, his mija. His surviving grandchildren are Reina, Eric and Mere Contreras and Audrey, Marina Sedillo, David Salas III, Adrian Hernandez, David and Jason Barela, Sonia Acosta, Robert Bobby, Danny and Ritchie Barela, Manuel Ray Vigil, Fred, Cassandra, Robert and Cynthia Luna, Yvette Aragon, Chris and Andrea Trujillo, Roger and Reina Orona, Santana Serna, Michael Candelaria, Jr. Surviving greatgrandchildren are Isaac Molinar, Jr., Bobby Monique Contreras, Aryanna and Kitty Trujillo and Marc Chavez, Jr. Numerous cousins, nephews and nieces also survive David. Other survivors are brother and sisterinlaws Lilly Salas of Roswell, Abel Sedillo of California, Raymond Londi Sedillo and his wife, Sherry, of Arizona, Orlydia Flores of Roswell, Prestinia Alvarado of California and Arsenia Sanchez and husband, Chris, of Roswell.
David married his beloved Baby on February 15, 1964, in Roswell. In the mid60s, David and Baby moved with their four Children, Tony, Jerry, Bobby, and Ginnie to Carson City, CA where David was employed as a Licensed Practical Nurse. In the late 60s, returning to reside in Roswell, the family brought along a new addition to the family, Greg.
During his teen years, David enlisted underage in the U.S. Army. In 1956 he graduated from the Airborne School and served in the 101st Airborne until 1959. After he returned to Roswell he attended the St. Marys School of Nursing receiving an LPN degree in 1964.
Recalling Davids younger years, his powerful hard right hand gained him the title of State Golden Glove Champ. Willie Hall, a friend and former trainer, compared David to Tony Zale, a former middleweight champ of the world. In November 2009, David was inducted into the New Mexico Boxing Hall of Fame and assigned a unique global number. Also credited to Davids hard right hand punch was the Welter Weight title he held for a year while stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Pallbearers will be Eloy Jr. and Robert Ortega, Sr., Benny and Art Sedillo, Ralph Flores and Alfonso Punch Pena. Honorary pallbearers will be Joseph and John Salas, Louie and Ruben Pineda, Greg Gonzales, Richard Flores, Fred, Danny, Ernie and Andy Ortega, Eric and Mere Contreras, David and Jason Barela, Fred Luna, Michael and Abel Sedillo, Jr., Raymond Villa, Frank Kiko Gamboa, Robert Watts, Danny Marrujo and Roger Orona.
Davids family would like to give special thanks to the Vista Care Hospice staff, the Eastern New Mexico Medical Center staff, Dr. Audrey Vega, Rosella Rodriguez and Alfonso Punch Pena who worked diligently and patiently helping David in his courageous battle against cancer.
David was greatly admired for his many accomplishments, deeply loved by family and friends, and will be greatly missed by all.

Service

Rosary

St. Johns Catholic Church
506 S. Lincoln
Roswell, NM  88203
Monday, December 3, 2012
7:00 pm

Funeral Mass

St. Johns Catholic Church
506 S. Lincoln
Roswell, NM  88203
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203