Jesse Q. Salazar, Sr.

Our beloved Dad/Popo, 90, departed this life peacefully on November 5, 2020 in Houston, Texas. He is preceded in death by the love of his life, Maria, whom he married in February, 1951. They were married for 62 years and raised their four children: Joan Adele; MarySue (Jose) Requena, Jesse, Jr., & Tina (George) Rocha in Houston. They were the proud grandparents of Laura, Jamie, Jessica, Jimmy, Monica, Jonathan, Claudia, Joe, Christina, Stephanie, StacyRae and Layla, honored Great Grandparents of Melanie, Amanda, Jimmy Julian, Gwendolyn, Matthew, Jazlyn, Alexander, Jonathan, Arissa, Genevieve, Aralynn, Weston and Ellie and blessed Great Great Grandparents of Slade, Sawyer and Audrey.

Without Jesse and Maria, we would never be us;

We are the leaves of their family tree.

Jesse was born to Julian V. and Manuela (Quintanilla) Salazar who precede him and 5 of his 6 siblings, Isabel (Johnny); Maria Elena (Helen); Frances; Julian and Armando (Herman), he leaves behind, his endearing last sibling, Janie.

Jesse was born in the era of the great depression and learned to work at an early age to help his parents. He quickly learned the value of work and had many stories to share. He was blessed with a good work ethic, quick wit and entrepreneurism which allowed him and our beloved, Maria to travel and enjoy a good full life. His favorite pastimes were all about fishing, travel, nature and without a doubt his children. One of his many goals in life was to provide a home surrounded by a fence for his wife and children for our security and freedom to call and have our own space “home sweet home”. It was the house and land that our father built for us.

To honor his memory, we recall a few of his accolades in life, he served his Country proudly in the United States Army in 1951 and fought in the Korean Conflict. He also served as a Merchant Mariner with the United States Coast Guard from 1953 through 1956. He then became a Fire Fighter with the City of Houston Fire Department in 1957 at Station 12 and retired just under 22 years of service at Station 44. Throughout these years of service he served in the capacity as the Pumper Fire Truck Chauffeur and as an Arson Investigator. In between, he also served as a Harris County Constable Officer.

In 1996, he was honored as a “pioneer” to be one of the first 32 Hispanic Fire Fighters to join the Houston Fire Department. His oldest brother, Johnny also served in the Fire Department joining a few years before him as the 2nd Hispanic Fire Fighter and was posthumously honored at this historic celebration.

Our world has briefly become a little darker and colder at his passing, but his life’s gifts and his loving spirit for his children will continue to enlighten, strengthen and support us all. Our hearts are broken, but our love and memories of Jesse will live in us forever. Until we meet again, Paw.

The Salazar Family

If an individual has been going through a hard time, an eagle not only signals a new beginning, but provides that person with the stamina and resilience to endure the difficulties. If an eagle has appeared, it bestows freedom and courage to look ahead. The eagle is symbolic of the importance of honesty and truthful principles.