Jim "Jimmy" Salas

Jim Salas, age 78 of Surprise AZ, and formerly of Silver City, New Mexico passed away unexpectedly at his home on November 29, 2022. He was born on December 3, 1943 in Des Moines, New Mexico, the son of Fermin and Pablita Salas.

Jim married Emily Martinez on June 20, 1964, in Brighton, Colorado and they were married for 58 years. Jim graduated from Fort Lupton High School in Fort Lupton, Colorado. He moved to California where he worked at AC Houston Lumber Company with his brothers Fermin “Junior” and Paul. In 1965 their son Gary was born. Two years later they moved to Silver City, NM where he continued to work at the lumber company and had a daughter, Debbie.

Jim worked very hard all his life. He worked at AC Houston Lumber Company, in California and Silver City, NM. After he left the lumber company he began working at Phelps Dodge Mining Corporation. He worked for PD for 10 years. After working at PD he met Mr. JC Keen and was hired to do odd jobs for him around his house in Silver City and Andrews, Texas. During this time Mr. Keen gave him a job at Western New Mexico Telephone Company in Cliff, NM. He retired in July of 2015. He was a jack of all trades: from masonry, rock walls, fireplaces. Carpentry: adding rooms to houses, building shelves and other items as well as a beauty shop for his wife. He worked on cars as his kids watched and helped. He loved to garden and he always helped out whenever anyone needed a hand. He used to help around St. Mary’s School where his children attended. Jim was a caring and very generous person who loved to help anyone in need.

Jim was a member of the Knights of Columbus council #12501 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Silver City, New Mexico.

In 2018 he and his wife moved to Phoenix to be closer to their children. He is a HUGE Denver Bronco fan and watched and talked about the Broncos all the time with his grandson. He attended his first Denver Bronco football game in Phoenix and also an Arizona Diamondbacks game. The smiles on his face during these games were priceless. Jim is survived by his wife Emily, son Gary (fiancé Ofelia), daughter Debbie, 3 grandsons Gabriel (wife Chelie), Archer, and Alex, 1 great granddaughter Annalise and many nieces and nephews. He had so much love for his family. He was preceded in death by his father Fermin, mother Pablita, brothers Robert, Fermin “Junior” and Paul and sisters Corrine and Carmen.

He loved his family especially his grandchildren. The one thing he would tell them when they had something they were doing; track race, test, presentation etc, was “You Can Do IT!!”

He was a very generous and giving person who will forever and deeply be missed.

A rosary service for James will be held Tuesday, December 13, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Surprise Funeral Care, 16063 W. Bell Rd, Surprise, AZ 85374, followed by a visitation from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.surprisefuneralcare.com for the Salas family.