Joe Salinas

SALINAS
Aransas Pass--

Retired USAF Master Sargent Joe (Papa Joe) Salinas went to be with Our Lord upon Angel wings at his home in Aransas Pass, TX on August 11, 2011, at the age of 85. Joe was born on a farm
outside of Yorktown, TX on October 11, 1925 to the late Maximo and Veneranda Salinas. He grew up and attended school in Yorktown prior to enlisting in the U.S. Navy at the age of 15. After several years with the U. S. Navy, he joined the U.S. Air Force Reserves where he served at Brooks Air Force Base and Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. He spent most of his career assigned to the 433rd Flying Wing working as a Loadmaster and flying on many missions. He served in World War ll, the Korean War, the Vietnam Conflict and many other conflicts. He took great pride in serving his country through his distinguished military and civil service career of 35 years. Upon retirement, he and his wife closed their business (C&J Ice House, San Antonio, TX) and moved permanently to Aransas Pass, TX in 1987. Joe was an active member of the VFW Post 2932, Knights of Columbus Council and St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church where he held many positions and donated much of his time alongside his wife. He enjoyed traveling, fishing, hunting, making sausage, gardening, playing bingo, and cooking for his family and friends. Joe never met a stranger and touched many lives in special ways. No matter where he went, he always ran into someone he knew. He loved spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joe was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Rita Viator Salinas, his parents, Maximo and Venaranda Martinez Salinas, and his sister Helen Garza. Survivors include his two daughters, Kimberlyn Salinas Michalec (Ronnie) of Aransas Pass, TX, Brenda Herndon Ray (Robert); two sons Ron Herndon (Rosie) and Virgil Herndon (Patricia Wheeler) all of San Antonio, TX. His grandchildren; SSgt Ryan Michalec (Kasey), Kori Michalec De Los Santos (Cris), Patrick Tabor, Jr. (Shawna), Misty Wright Cremers (Thomas), Jason, Robby, Lauren Herndon, Michael Skaggs, Dana Reyes, Holly Wrona, and Craig Ray; 15 great grandchildren, his brother Juan Salinas, and sisters Emma Gallegos, and Terry Puska (Louie), sister-in-law Carol Hunt and many nephews and nieces and friends. He is loved and will be missed deeply by all his family. The family would like to thank his provider, Elsa Gamino, for her loving care, and his nurses, Patty, Terry, Bill and everyone from Vista Care Hospice.

VISITATION WILL BE HELD FROM 2 P.M. UNTIL 9 P.M. ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2011 AT THE CHARLIE MARSHALL FUNERAL HOME CHAPEL WITH A ROSARY TO BE RECITED AT 7:00 P.M. FUNERAL MASS HILL BE CELEBRATED AT 10:00 A.M. ON MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 2011 AT THE ST. MARY' S STAR OF THE SEA CATHOLIC CHURCH IN ARANSAS PASS, TX. INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS WILL FOLLOW IN THE PRAIRIE VIEW CEMETERY.

ARRANGEMENTS ENTRUSTEO TO:
CHARLIE MARSHALL FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC .
2003 W. WHEELER AVE.
ARANSAS PASS, TX
1-800-428-2922