Gilbert Armour Saldua

July 15, 1946 - February 14, 2007

Passed away at his home/ hobby shop in Santa Cruz on February 14, 2007. He was 60 years old.

Gil was raised in Stockton by two brothers Pablo Saldua and Stanley Saldua whom he considered to be his Fathers.

During his youth he would spend many hours watching Gene Winfield work on cars, from this he gained his love of customizing classic cars and hot rods. Later he would put the knowledge he obtained to use with his own talents creating thousands of custom cars. One of his latest completions is a '65 Impala for "Flea".

Gil attended Franklin High School in Stockton, CA where he took auto shop and began his love of cars. He attended art classes with his friend Pete Elias. He then moved to Santa Cruz and graduated from Santa Cru High School in 1964.

In 1967 Gil served in the Army he achieved the rank of Spec Four Airframe Mechanic. In the service Gil met one of his long time friends Ritchie Nield. Gil, Ritchie and friends, Joe Tone, Joe & Ken McClellan, Greg Butcher and Jerry Belcher became known as the "Ratz". They shared a couple of hobby shops together and worked on car projects of just hung out.

After the Army Gil moved back to Santa Cruz where he worked at N. K. Products as a welder then at Prolo Chevrolet with his long time friend Don Pylant. Later Gil started GT Auto body, a shop specializing in custom paint and auto body. He worked with close friends Mario Alvarez and Gary George.

Gil was a long time member of the Santa Cruz Corvette Club with friends Rick Peterson, Paul Gabriele and Rich Quinn.After closing GT Auto Body, Gil moved to Clovis where he had a shop with Tom Dillard and lived with daughter Cheri Ayala and close friends Brett Eggebraaten and James Perry. They spent many hours watching drag races together. Then Gil once again moved back to Santa Cruz. He worked for many auto body shops including Mirels Body Shop with close Friend Al Costa and Riley Collins where he again worked with Don Pylant. He then went into business for himself at his Hot Rod Hobby Shop/ Home on Ocean Street.

Gil and his long time friend John Huckins had a knack for finding classics to restore and sell. John had the eye for finding the car and Gil had the talent to bring it to life with his paint. Gil would say "you had to make the car 'ugly' before you could make it pretty".

Gil loved to spend time with his oldest daughter Cherme. He also loved his grandchildren. He spent many hours with his oldest Grandson Jesse. Gil and Jesse would go to car shows together where Gil would pass on his knowledge and love of classic cars to Jesse.

Gil loved to go to the drag races. His favorite shows were the Hot Rod Reunion and the March Meets in Bakersfield. He loved to watch his favorite driver and close friend Bill Dunlop race. Gil would custom paint Bill's helmet every year before race season. He also loved to go to Reno with Cherme, Ritchie, Greg & Evelyn Butcher, John and Sue Huckins, Joel and Becki McClellan, Joe and Vita Simas, and many more close friends to the Hot August Nights car show. Gil also custom painted and enjoyed motorcycles, boating and air brushing artwork.

Gil is survived by sisters Dorothy Basquez, Belarine Gonzalez, Leslie Sanchez, Pauline Viray, Liz Gamacho, Lorrie McMinn, Madeline Saldua. Brother Rocky Saldua. Daughters: Cherme Saldua of Santa Cruz and Cheri Ayala of Los Angeles. Grandsons Jesse and Andy; Granddaughtrers Cindy, Josee and Amy. He is also survived by his extended family of friends who will always remember him for his great laugh, perfect hair and an undying willingness to be there when they needed him. He was preceded in death by his fathers Pablo Saldua and Stanley Saldua.

A Party/ Car show to celebrate Gil's life will be held on March 31, 2007, 11:00 - 4:00 at the Veterans Hall 2259 7th Avenue, Santa Cruz. Bring your classic car, motorcycle or hot rod and help celebrate his life. Questions? Please call 831818-3719.

A Memorial fund has been established at Bay Federal Credit Union. Please make donations payable to Account #30449393. They may be dropped off or mailed to: Account 30449393 Gil Saldua's Memorial Fund c/o Bay Federal Credit Union, 3333 Clares Street, Capitola, CA 95010.

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