Services were held at 10 a.m. today at Family Worship Center in Albuquerque for Juan Garcia Salmon.
Salmon, 75, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Feb. 18, 2016. He passed away at home while with his wife, Mary Ellen Salmon, and sister, Viviana Ornelas.
Interment followed the services.
Juan (Grandpa John, Dad, John, Brother Salmon) was born March 28, 1940, in Vado de Piedres, Chihuahua, Mexico.
On March 3, 1961, he married Mary Ellen Salmon in Artesia.
He and Mary Ellen were the owners of Salmon’s Meats Inc. and Jack’s Catering for more than 30 years.
Juan was a very proud father of six sons whom he raised to be strong men and to never give up! He loved to work hard, have a good debate around the kitchen table, give his daughters-in-law a hard time, and make the brothers earn the right to be the son of the month!
Juan also enjoyed spending time with his family, reminiscing about the “good ole days” and how he was so thankful that he came to know the Lord. He was a passionate man and loved to play the trumpet and guitar, and loved to sing love songs to Momma. He also loved being silly with his grandchildren and pretending not to understand or hear them, which was a great way to keep a conversation going with them.
Juan was a loving husband, father, business owner, brother, uncle, grandpa and friend. He was a straight shooter and loved Jesus.
Survivors include his loving wife, Mary Ellen Salmon, of Albuquerque; six sons, Jerald, Jimmy, Johnny, Jaime and Jack of Albuquerque and Jacob R. Salmon of Cumberland, R.I., and their spouses; 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and five siblings, Raymond of Lovington, Rudy of Albuquerque, Louis of Carlsbad, Viviana Ornelas of Loving, brother-in-law Victor Martinez and half-sister Lupe Sosa of Roswell.
Juan will be missed. His family loved him dearly and will forever be grateful that he came to know Jesus. Juan said he would walk again, and he was right – he walked right into his Savior’s arms in heaven. He influenced his sons to become the men they have become, and Juan’s legacy will live through his sons, grandchildren and now great-grandchildren. We shall see him again when we get to heaven.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, stjude.org, or Albuquerque Rescue Mission, 525 Second St. SW, Albuquerque, N.M., 87102.
Arrangements are under the direction of French Funerals & Cremations.
