Augustine, “Tim” as he was known to all passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on January 15, 2018, where he joined his beloved wife Rita on their 63rd wedding anniversary. He was 84.
Tim Salazar, was born Augustine Evan Salazar in the small northern New Mexico town of Las Vegas to Juan and Mariquita Salazar. He was the 4th of 5 children.
During his early days he helped his family on what he used to call the “Rancho”. As he grew, like many teenagers, he was known to “push the envelope”. When he started high school, the U.S. was fast approaching the impending conflict in Korea. He felt so strong about defending his country, that he had his parents give him permission to enter the U.S. Marine Corps. It was also around this time that he met a young woman, Rita, whom he courted and fell in love with.
He was quickly sent to Camp Pendleton for basic training. Soon after, Private Salazar was shipped off to Korea where he served with honor, earning a Bronze Metal, Silver Star, and Purple Heart for his heroic actions in battle. After his service commitment, he returned home and reconnected with the love of his life, Rita, and they married approximately a year of his return. In 1955, after a visit to Watsonville, Tim & Rita decided to make it their home and within the next 4 years they were blessed with two sons.
Those early days were difficult as he had not finished his high school education, but he was committed to supporting his new family. He worked multiple jobs during those days, everything from agriculture, food processing, to delivering baked goods. Eventually he landed a job in construction and worked his way up from laborer to carpenter. It required him to go back to night school and earn his G.E.D., but he was determined to provide a better life for himself and his family. Tim was an avid outdoorsman. He especially enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. From the early days in New Mexico to Northern CA with his wife Rita and sons, family and friends to eventually are able to share it with his grandchildren. Tim was also known to enjoy his free time with his family and friends; there are so many memories of getting together on weekends. And he loved to have a beer or two or more during those gatherings.
Tim was preceded in death by: wife, Rita, sister, Henrietta, brother, Frank and grandson, Timothy (his Namesake) Survived By: sons: Donald (Angelina) of Seattle, WA; Richard, of Watsonville; grandchildren; Christina (Kevin), Daniel (DebbieAnn), and Steven (Alisha) of Seattle, WA, Stephanie of Garden Grove, CA, Justin, Garret, of Watsonville; great-grandchildren: Adriana, Celena, Zoe Rita, and Anakin of Seattle, WA; Kingston, Ronin Augustine, and Freyja of Garden Grove, CA. In addition, he leaves behind a sister, Vera Solano (David) of Watsonville, brother, Luis Salazar of Aromas along with numerous nieces and nephews; as well as a large family in New Mexico.
And although he has left us now, he has touched us all, and his memory will never be forgotten. Tim would not want us to mourn his passing but remember and celebrate his life. Semper Fi.
The Rosary will be recited on Sunday, February 4, 2018 at 7:00pm at Mehl’s Colonial Chapel, in Watsonville. Catholic graveside services with military honors will be celebrated Monday, February 5, 2018 at 11:00am at Pajaro Valley Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, in honor of Tim’s legacy please consider a donation to your local VFW or the Wounded Warrior Project
