Samuel G Salazar

HEYBURN – Samuel G Salazar, an 85-year-old resident of Heyburn, passed away August 17, 2023, peacefully at his home.

He was born January 18, 1938, in Pharr, Texas to Cecilio Salazar and Maria Gonzales Salazar. Samuel grew up in Pharr, Texas with his three siblings and two half siblings. He and his siblings had minimal education and were orphaned at a very young age.

They lived a poor and humble life. He began working at a very young age in order to help provide for his siblings. He lived a migrant lifestyle, working every harvest season. In 1956, he met the love of his life, Maria Aguinaga at the Burley labor camp.

After a few years of following the migrant lifestyle he decided he wanted to settle down so he could provide a stable lifestyle for his children. It was very important to him that his children obtain a formal education to ensure his children a better future.

In 1960 he began working at Ore-Ida foods. Samuel received on the job training in the maintenance field and excelled as a mechanic. Initially he planned only to work for a few weeks to earn sufficient funds to move the family to Arizona. He soon realized he was making a decent and stable income and decided to stay in Idaho, where he dedicated 42 years of his life to work.

He demonstrated to his children a hard work ethic. He retired from Ore-Ida in 2002, his hard work provided him a good lifestyle and he was able to obtain several rental properties. He enjoyed gardening and working in his yard. Later in life, he enjoyed the company of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Samuel was a member of Little Flower Catholic Church attending regularly until he became unable to.

He is survived by his wife, Maria Salazar; five children, Alicia (Humberto) Tellez, of Heyburn, Sammy (Sandra) Salazar, of Paul, Kristina (Salvador) Tapia, of Twin Falls, Erasmo Salazar, of Boise, and Ceilio Salazar of Heyburn; a sister, Mimi (of Phoenix) and a brother, Cecilio (of Florida); 13 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jose; two half sisters, Piedad and Hilda; a grandson, Carlos; and a granddaughter, McKenzie Marie.

The family would like to thank Nikki, Meagan, Mary, Sarah, Lao, and the other wonderful staff at Auburn Crest for their dedication and help caring for our Dad.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, at St. Therese the Little Flower Catholic Church, located at 1601 Overland Ave., in Burley, with the Rev. Father Julio Vicente as celebrant. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery in Burley.

A vigil will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21, at St. Therese the Little Flower Catholic Church, located at 1601 Overland Ave., in Burley, with the recitation of the rosary beginning at 6 p.m.

A live webcast of the Funeral Mass will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/bkxMqqOhbh4.