Ernesto Miguel Salaz

Ernesto Miguel Salaz, 75, passed away on December 16, 2024. He was born to Ernesto and Feliz Salaz in Las Vegas, New Mexico on May 9, 1949. He was preceded in death by his parents, former wife Maisie, and son Baby Miguel. He’s survived by siblings Antonio (Antonia), Lydia Aguilar, Elena (Edmund) Gomez, Tom, Bob, Fred (Joy), Liz McCollum, Gloria Demorrow, Rich, and Lolita, and many nieces and nephews, and extended family. 

He attended school in Las Vegas and Portales, New Mexico, excelling in his studies and participating in the basketball program. At sixteen he convinced his parents to sign for him to enlist in the US Army. After basic training, he was deployed to Vietnam and remained there till the end of his deployment. He was exposed to Agent Orange which precipitated many illnesses in his future. 

He and Maisie married soon after his return to the States. He lived in San Antonio, Texas but returned to Las Vegas to attend and earn a Bachelor of Education degree. He taught in Las Vegas, Espanola, and Clovis, New Mexico elementary schools. He lived in Corpus Christi for a spell and ended up at Mountain View Health and Rehabilitation Center until a fall from his wheelchair exacerbated his frail condition and expedited his demise. Fortunately, his brother Rich and special friend Irene Chavez were with him when he passed. 

Ernesto was very handsome with large chestnut-colored eyes and a very charming and gregarious personality. His interest in theater led him to play Man From La Mancha in college and act in other theatrical productions. He also enjoyed music and played guitar, entertaining family and friends with songs like Judy Blue Eyes by Stills, Nash, and Young, and songs by Joan Baez and Bob Dylan. 

The family wishes to thank all family and friends for their gestures of comfort and consolation. We love you!

His cremains will be inurned with full military honors in the Santa Fe National Cemetery at a later date.

Services have been entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home-West.