Angel Lucio Salazar

Angel Lucio Salazar died June 5, 2023, after a lengthy illness. He was born on May 31, 1929, in San Antonio, Texas to Antonio and Antonia Salazar. The youngest of three brothers, Angel attended school until the age of 17, at which time he joined the military.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1946, completing a tour of duty in Japan, where he served as a truck driver. While there he was awarded the WWII Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal. He was honorably discharged as a Private, First Class in 1948. He then enlisted in the Air Force and served in both the Korean and Viet Nam Wars. He retired from the Air Force as a Staff Sergeant in 1963 and continued to serve in the Air Force Reserve until 1978.

While still in the service, Angel married Micaela Bazan in 1961. Together, they had three children: Jerome, Angel Anthony, and Arlene. He was also stepfather to Marion, Ramona, Lorraine, Cecelia, and Raymond Melgoza. Angel was eventually stationed at George Air Force Base, and he settled the family in Victorville, where he resided for the rest of his life.

After his military days, Angel worked for Kaiser Cement, which later became Mitsubishi. He worked there for twenty years managing supplies, and after his retirement he continued to live a very active life. He enjoyed driving around town in his signature yellow Jeep visiting his friends and having lunch at the local senior center, and he was a member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church for sixty years.

Angel had a wonderful sense of humor and an incredibly sharp memory for details. He received his GED certificate in 1956 but was especially proud to have received his high school diploma in 2013.

Angel was preceded in death by his wife, Micaela; his daughter, Arlene; his parents, Antonio and Antonia Salazar; his brother, Cecil; his brother, Louie; his stepdaughter, Cecelia; and his granddaughters Dena and Roxana. He is survived by his son, Jerome, and his children Elisha, Crystal, Jake, Jerry, Arlene, and Jasmine; son, Anthony, daughter-in-law Teresa, and their sons Anthony, Simmeon, and Anthony Savedra; stepson, Raymond Melgoza, daughter-in-law Susan, and their children Jason and Jessica; stepdaughters Marion Ornelas, Ramona Dominguez, and Lorraine Cuadro and her husband, Danny, along with several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Angel is also survived by dear family friends Edgar and Debby Saucedo and their children Edgar, Chris, Sonia, Cheryl, and Jessica; Joe and Delphina Ontiveros and their children; and his neighbors Nestor, Fernando, and his wife Margie.

Angel was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all.