Gilbert Meneses "Gibby" Salazar Sr.

Gilbert "Gibby" Meneses Salazar Sr., 69, of Florence, Ariz., died Jan. 3, 2006, at a hospital in Chandler. He was a lifelong resident of Florence, where he was born April 12, 1936. Mr. Salazar, who owned and operated Gibby's Inn in Florence from 1964 to 2001, was a real people lover. Despite his teasing nature, he had an honest, generous and forgiving heart and will be missed. During his time running the bar and restaurant his family had owned since the '40s, he met many celebrities who were in town to film movies. They included Paul Newman, who hung his wardrobe underwear over a ceiling vent while shooting 'The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean' in 1972; James Garner, who, full of Mexican food and Dos Equis beer, had to make a pit stop at Gibby's during the filming of 'Murphy's Romance' in 1984; and actor Wilford Brimley, who lived in the area and stopped at the inn at least once a week for a bowl of his favorite Quaker oatmeal. Mr. Salazar also enjoyed home repair, ASU football, travel and fishing. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, 2006, at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Florence. A reception will follow at the parish hall. Mr. Salazar was preceded in death by his wife of 30 years, Helen; his parents, Mary and Gabriel Salazar of Florence; and a brother, Ross Sepulveda of Phoenix. Survivors include sons Gabe Salazar, Eagle Point, Ore.; Gilbert Salazar Jr. and Terry Tryon, both of Florence; daughters Debbie Tryon, Missouri; and Sharon Tryon, Long Beach, Calif.; brothers Oscar Sepulveda and Johnny Salazar, both of Florence; sisters Eleanor Feliz, Phoenix; Marcella Gallagher, Adeline Arney and Evangeline Cathemer, all of Florence; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Services handled by Simes Mortuaries Florence Chapel.