Leroy Ruben Salazar

January 22, 1948 - December 10, 2020

Leroy Ruben Salazar Sr 1/22/1948 — 12/10/2020 From Kersey, Colorado a little boy was born to follow the shadow of 8 who came before. Through that old ranch house door - Plus 2 more... Salazar Children— Sotero Salazar, Reyes Salazar, Jennie Fresquez husband Alfred, Arthur Salazar - wife Diana, David Salazar, Agnes Mijares - husband Sam, Beatrice “Bea” Salazar, Steven Salazar - wife Naomi, Selustriano “Jr Salazar - wife Irene, and Eva Clark. Leroy Ruben Salazar Sr (72) passed away in Tucson, AZ on December 10th 2020 due to complications associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Leroy was born in 1948 to Selustriano and Marina (Montoya) Salazar (originally from Sapello New Mexico) in the small town of Kersey, Colorado, and was part of a big beautiful family of 11 children. He grew up in Kersey near the corn fields and endless farming land where he got a “country boy” education (k-12) including – Platte Valley High School. At the age of 18 he was called out to the Vietnam war where he represented his country as a Navy Shipman on Americas first nuclear powered air craft carrier - the mighty USS Enterprise (CVN -65). Once his enlistment was completed he took a job as a meat cutter for the Oakland Meat Co. of California’s East Bay, and there he met his wife of almost 50 years - Christella Theresa Salazar (Valdez)originally from New Mexico. Leroy and Christella were married on October 31,1973 and had 3 children - Lionell Ruben “Lenny” Salazar - wife Leilani, Leroy Alphonso Salazar, and Urlina Rose Ann Burrell (Salazar) - husband Christopher SR. Leroy also had a son from a previous union -Vincent Lauer (Salazar) - wife Lori of Fairfield California, and a step son who he raised as his own -Louis DiMarco (Salazar) plus many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In 1977 Leroy moved his family from Hayward, California to the Manzanita Terrace neighborhood of Tucson Az’s Southwest side. Once settled in Tucson he continued on in the meat cutting industry where he made many life-long friends and associates, finally finishing his career with Fry’s Food and Drug Stores after many years as a butcher. Leroy was preceded in death by his Father and Mother - Selustriano/ Marina Salazar, Brothers - Sotero, Reyes, and David Salazar. Brother in laws - Alfred Fresquez, Sam Mijares. Close Cousin - Chris Salazar, and post humously by his Brother - Arthur Salazar and beloved Grand Daughter - Reyna Raymunda Burrell. Although many miles away, he always identified himself with Colorado through an unwavering loyalty as a life-long Denver Bronco fan and made absolutely sure everyone knew it! We invite all who loved Leroy Salazar Sr. to come on out to the family ranch for one last good-bye. Memorial will be on May 1st 2021 at 4:00 PM location - 4675 W. Nebraska Street Tucson, AZ 85757