Adolfo "Pete" Salas

The Mass of the Resurrection for Adolfo Salas, 73, known to most as "Pete," will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, March 23, 2016, at St. Helen Catholic Church by Fr. Charles Ugochukwu. Burial will follow in the Portales Cemetery with Gabriel Salas, Jordan Salas, Jarred Salas, Nathan Salas, Samuel Salas, Isaias Bonilla, Mike Robertson and Jose Estrada serving as pallbearers. All family members and his many friends will be honorary pallbearers.
Adolfo Salas was born December 20, 1942, in Hatch, NM to the home of Inez (Gutierrez) and Samuel Salas, and died March 21, 2016, in Lubbock, TX. Mr. Salas grew up in Arrey, NM near Hatch. He moved to Portales in 1962, and on October 4, 1963, he was married to Jane Garcia. Mr. Salas worked as a mechanic for many years. He was first employed by J. C. Inge, but later worked at Trader Horn Chrysler, Plymouth and Dodge, at Poynor's Home and Auto, and Bynum Motors. He retired in the early 1990's. He then went to work with Mike Robertson as a handy man, helping to fix up rental houses and keep the yards.
He enjoyed collecting memorabilia of all sorts, as well as guitars, tools and cars. Mr. Salas was an Atlanta Braves baseball fan, and liked watching old western movies.
He is survived by five sons and four daughters-in-law, Steve and Rosella Salas of Portales, Pete and Tammy Salas of Portales, Ricky and Christine Salas of Las Cruces, NM, Sammy and Angel Salas of Fritch, TX and Gregg Salas of Portales; nine grandchildren, Jordan, Jarred, Gabriel, Savannah, Nathan, Tomi Ann, Samuel and Tina Jane Salas and Rebecca (Isaias) Bonilla; three great-grandchildren, Genesis Bonilla, Isaias Bonilla, Jr. and Odyssey Bonilla; two brothers, Lucio Salas and Tommy Salas both of Portales; and four sisters, Connie Romero of Las Cruces, NM, and Emilia Salas, Josie Encinias and Cindy Romero all of Portales.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Frank Salas, Mike Salas and Keim Salas; a sister, Kathy Grijalva and by his wife, Jane, who died July 2, 1997.
Arrangements are under the direction of Wheeler Mortuary of Portales. 575-356-4455,wheelermortuary.net