Erik Bryan Salinas

He was born to Francisco Lazaro Salinas, Jr. and Deborah Laurel in Victoria, Texas on April 16, 1980.

Erik’s love for music started at the age of 3 when his mom taught him his first chords. Throughout Erik’s life, he continued to master the art of music by becoming a songwriter, singer, and guitarist. He was a talented blues rock musician who played with various bands, but started the band Free Candy two years ago. The band played at various venues including downtown and the Poodle Dog Lounge.

Even though Erik’s love for music played a major part of his life, he had other interests and hobbies. He enjoyed computers and remodeling, but most of all, fishing and fly fishing at the coast and Lower Colorado River with his Uncle Joe. He also worked with Uncle Joe doing sheet metal work. Many of his jobs included restoration, carpentry and industrial trade. When working at Al’s Automotive Custom Design and Paint, Erik was the lead painter of auto body design for 3 years. Art was something that Erik was a natural at. Erik was a jack of all trades, and learned through hands on experience which led him to enrolling in Capital City Trade and Tech School where he was a current student. He was a small business owner as well, recently starting Salinas Design Group, Inc.

At the early age of 7, Erik and his family became members of Hyde Park Presbyterian Church. In the late 1980’s he and two cousins made their Profession of Faith with Rev. Donald Bobb. Erik was a gentle spirit and a kind soul. He loved his family and his family was an important part of his life.

Whether if it was playing music, creating artwork or just being himself, his family was always proud of him. He was full of life, well loved by friends and family and will be greatly missed. Erik maintained strong core values of dignity, integrity, honor and respect. Excelling in all that he set out to do made him a strong individual.

Erik was preceded in death by his grandfather August Laurel and grandmother Jenoveva Elma Salinas.

Surviving Erik are his father Francisco Lazaro Salinas, Jr., mother Deborah Laurel; siblings Brandon Justin Laurel Salinas, August Alexander Ronald Elliott Laurel Cardenas, Frankie Salinas, Angela Salinas, and Marco Salinas; grandmother Felipa Candelaria Laurel; grandfather Francisco Lazaro Salinas, Sr.; admired uncle Joe Aleman, “Uncle Joe”; endeared aunt Elsa Aleman, “Aunt Elsa”; aunts and uncles Mr. & Mrs. Ophir B. Lyra, Anna Laurel, Edna Salinas, Elma Celina Salinas, Javier Salinas, and Mario Salinas. Erik leaves behind numerous cousins Marissa Z. Lyra, Myron Kalan Lyra, Myles Ian Lyra, Jake Paul Gonzales, Tiffany B. Gonzales, Elise Aleman, Monique Navarro, Junior, Frances, Lisa, Kristina Salinas, and Krista Trianna Aleman; dear friend Matthew Martin and best friend Gregory Cardarean.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 11, 2010 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Cook-Walden Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held Friday, March 12, 2010 at 9:00 am at the Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Austin Memorial Park.

Broken wings take time to mend

Before they learn to fly again

On the breath of God, we’ll soar

And we’ll be stronger than before

As the season’s make their turn

There are lessons here, for us to learn

Let the past be dead and gone

So that with our new life, we can move on

On the breath of God, we’ll soar

And we’ll be stronger, than before

Love, Mommy