Ricardo Saldaña

Ricardo was born on July 1,1930 in Brownsville, Texas to Pablo Jr. and Maria Del Refugio Valenzuela Saldaña. Born into the great depression, he lost his father at the age of 5. His grandfather, Pablo (Senior) filled that father role for him and his siblings. At the age of seven, Ricardo worked the fields, at 10 he shined shoes, at 14 he worked the docks and at the age of 18, he joined the Marine Corp. serving 30 years, proudly, for our country.

Ricardo was the most humble, loyal, and resilient gentleman we’ve ever known. He fought in the Korean War (Chosin Reservoir) and in Vietnam, earning a Purple Heart. He retired with honors as a Gunnery Sergeant.

Ricardo ambitiously sought out education and advocated for education for all others. He received his Masters degree in counseling at Sul Ross State University, attending summer classes while teaching government/history at Edison (Midland) Freshman High School. He retired as Director of Counseling at Midland College. Then went into private practice as a private Licensed Professional Counselor while caring for his wife.

He first met his soulmate, Mary, while she was working as a waitress in a small Mexican diner in Odessa, Texas in 1952. They fell in love and were married for 40 years, until her early passing in 2006 following medical complications she had battled for years, with Ricardo loyally by her side.

Ricardo enjoyed being around family and friends, traveling on the road, and watching the Dallas Cowboys or Texas Rangers win.

He will be especially missed by his grandson Alex Saldaña who he called “Big Boy” and his granddaughter, Jennifer Collins, who he called “Pumpkin”. They were Ricardo and Mary’s pride and joy!

Ricardo is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Saldaña, daughter, Cynthia “Cindi” Collins, and brother Julian (Beto) Saldaña.

He is survived by his son, Albert Saldaña; grandson, Alex Saldaña; stepson, Richard and wife Toni Vasquez; grandchildren; Brandi, Demi and Daisy Saldaña, Jennifer Collins, Richard Vasquez Jr. (BB) and Christina Vasquez; sisters; Maria Longoria of Lexington, NE; Mary Aumiller from Grand Island, NE; brother, Rogelio (Roy) Saldaña from Elk Grove, CA; several great-great grandchildren and nephews.

The family gives special thanks to all of his caretakers, the Visiting Angels and Mina.

We’re all very proud and blessed to have had you, Ricardo, as our dad and grandpa. We love you and will always cherish those precious moments we have shared with you. Give grandma a hug and kiss from all of us. Please visit us in our dreams until we are reunited with you and grandma in heaven.

A visitation for Ricardo will be held Friday, April 7, 2023 at 5:00 PM at Ellis Resthaven Funeral Home, 4616 N Big Spring Street, Midland, Texas 79705, with a rosary to follow at 7:00PM. A funeral mass will occur Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 2:00 PM, 4616 N Big Spring Street, Midland, Texas 79705. A committal service will occur Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 3:00 PM, 4616 N Big Spring Street, Midland, Texas 79705.

Tune in to the live stream of the funeral mass through the following link: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY4MDkzMzY5ODI0NTE3MiZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==