Eugene Salas

1938 - 2021

Eugene Gene Ralph Salas

September 16, 1938 August 7, 2021

Eugene Gene Ralph Salas, born September 16, 1938, to Ralph and Barbara Salas went to Heaven on August 7, 2021 at the age of 82. Gene was born in Fillmore, CA, and moved to Oxnard, CA as a young boy where he remained until his early thirties.

Gene went to elementary school at Santa Clara and graduated from Oxnard High School in 1956, he played many sports, but his love was always football. As a youngster, he was a huge USC Trojan fan and he continued that dedication until the end. As a youth he met lifelong friends and remained in touch with the Brothers over the years. He continued his education, receiving an AA from Ventura Junior College. Gene was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps and then welcomed his first-born son, Steve.

Gene moved to Oxnard Shores and there he met the love of his life, Peggy Lee Watson. Gene always said he loved Peggy from the moment he laid eyes on her. Gene and Peggy married over the border in Tijuana, Mexico and lived an exciting life on the Shores having fun with friends, camping, boating, and racing Miller flat bottom boats. Gene worked for his father at Salas Irrigation beginning a lifelong career in ag. Gene and Peggy welcomed their first daughter Kelly, followed by Kamron, then Kimberly.

Gene moved his young family to Santa Maria, CA when he branched out on his own purchasing Azcarte Pipe. Soon thereafter he changed the name to Salas, Inc. where he continued to own and operate until his death. Gene has been called a pioneer in the field of subsurface drainage and he tiled ag-related fields throughout the State of CA and Mexico. There probably isn't a farmer around that Gene hasn't met. Gene was well respected for his innovation in his chosen field and never stopped improving desalination methods and making unfertile lands an oasis for crops.

Before moving to Tepusquet Canyon where he and Peggy resided for over 47 years, they welcomed their last son, Kory. Gene loved his property in the canyon and together they created a beautiful sanctuary, never wanting to leave. Gene had a keen sense of design and enjoyed improving the property over the years. Gene enjoyed his life in the canyon and having a beer with the old-timers. Gene and Peggy remarried (at the suggestion of Social Security office) and said I do again at a drive thru wedding window in Laughlin, NV.

Everyone that knew Gene just loved him and he in return loved people. He loved the Lord, he was kind, generous, gentle, sentimental, had an infectious laugh, passionate, respected, admired, told dumb jokes, loved telling stories of days past, loved to tease his kids and grandkids, intelligent, handsome, stylish, cool but mostly he loved his family and they loved him deeply. He was proud of his son, Steve, for helping run the family business. He loved holding hands with his wife and daughters, always professing his love to his girl's. There wasn't a person he didn't hug, he enjoyed listening to music, watching movies and The Three Stooges and he and Peggy had a love like that of the movie, The Notebook. He had an amazingly beautiful heart and life will never be the same without him.

Gene is survived by the love of his life of 55 years, Peggy; son, Steve (Donna) Samantha, Linzey, Lance; daughter, Kelly (Geoff) Klancy, Logan, Koby, Kellen; daughter, Kamron (Ross) Paityn, Brody, Brooks; daughter, Kimberly (Robert), Kali; and 4 great grandchildren. Sisters, Barbara, Elsie, Dolly and a multitude of loving nieces and nephews.

Gene is preceded in death by his parents, son, Kory and granddaughter, Megan.

Service is scheduled Wednesday, Aug. 18 at 11 a.m. at First Christian Church, Santa Maria, CA.

The family would like to thank those who prayed for his recovery and ask for continual prayers while mourning the loss of the heart of its family.

To leave a condolence for the family visit www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com