Gabriel Christopher Salazar

Gabriel Christopher Salazar, age 48, a resident of Belen, went to his eternal rest on Thursday, May 9, 2024. Gabriel was born in Belen, NM to Ernie and Isabel Salazar. Gabriel was a 1994 Graduate of Belen High School and attended Chaminade University in Hawaii to pursue his academics and athletics. He started his professional career at Jiffy Lube in 1997 and quickly became a manager. Gabriel began his lifelong career with the BNSF MOW in 2007 as a trackman out of Belen, NM and traveled throughout the region where he made many great friends. He eventually became a Labor Trainer, which also took him out of town frequently where he was able to develop his career and continue building friendships.
Gabriel was the happiest when surrounded by family and friends, but most especially when he was with his children Gustavo and Violet. Gabriel took so much pride and loved his children with all his heart; if he was not working, he would be busy on the soccer field, baseball field, swimming pool or concert hall with them. He loved to cheer them on and encourage them on and off the field.
Gabriel was an accomplished athlete and a competitor his whole life, often times people would ask him, "is there something you cannot do, and be good at." He made a competition out of almost everything and most of the time would win!
Gabriel is preceded in death by his father, Ernie Salazar; paternal grandparents, Antonio and Carmelita Salazar; maternal grandparents, Fermin and Senovia Cordova. He is survived by his beautiful children whom he adored, Gustavo and Violet of Belen; mother Isabel (David) Medina; siblings, David (Celestine) Salazar of Albuquerque, Rachel (Terry Dee) Curry of Clovis, Sarah Baca (Amos) of Rio Rancho, and Nicholas (Shalene) Salazar of Jarales; girlfriend, Nora (Pena) of Belen and her daughter, Vanessa of Albuquerque; nephews and nieces whom he loved dearly, Amber (Andy) Roberts of Clovis, Alesia Salazar of Albuquerque, Cassandra (Justin) of Clovis, Seth (Elliott) Curry of Greenville, SC, Degan, Prestyn and Cruz Baca of Rio Rancho, Riley, Logan, Oliver, Elianna, Christian and Landon of Jarales, and his best friend of 40 years, Jessica Hurst.
Gabriel was an avid Dallas Cowboy and Michigan Wolverine fan and loved to watch the World Cup. He never stopped playing sports as an adult and continued to dominate the tennis court through his adult league. Gabriel will forever be remembered for his smile, laughter, quick wit, his gentle and understanding heart and for being the best dad that he could for his children. He was an amazing father, son, brother, uncle, nephew, and friend who will be missed dearly.
Gabriel's final gift was to give life to someone else through Organ Donation. "It is not time for me to move on into the dusk, but also the dawn, I will remain as the morning comes, as I have left behind a gift for someone so another may walk may talk, may see. Where something in their life was locked, I offered them a key. I am a donor, giving to someone in need. My final gift, my final deed."
A public viewing will be held at the Noblin Funeral Home Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave, on Monday, May 20, 2024 from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at San Clemente Catholic Church, 244 Luna Ave SE, Los Lunas, NM on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 beginning with a viewing at 9:00 AM, rosary at 9:30 AM and a funeral Mass at 10:00 AM. A private burial will take place at a later time. Pallbearers will be Emerson Torres, Tim McBride, Carlos Baca, Norman Finley, Michael "Mikey" Sanchez and Bobby Rossberg. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Gustavo and Violet's savings accounts at the Railroad Employees Credit Union (505)864-4740.
An online guest register is available at www.noblin.com
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