Jose Placido Salazar, 86, went to be with our Lord and Savior on April 14, 2023. He was at Mount Ogden Health and Rehabilitation Center, Washington Terrace, after his battle with dementia and recent stroke.
Jose also known by many as Pat, was born in Park View, New Mexico on April 22, 1936 to parents Jose Emilio Salazar and Margarita Archuleta Salazar. When he was five years old, his family moved to Ogden, Utah.
Pat met and married Bernie Montano on April 25, 1959. Together, they had two children, Lorraine and Todd. As a family, they spent many weekends camping and fishing with family and friends. He also enjoyed playing golf and bowling. He started the Chicano Mix Bowling League where he was secretary for many years. He has also organized several golf tournaments for the Chicano League in Wendover. In his later years, he learned to ride a motorcycle and enjoyed many rides with his friend Chuck, but had to stop riding after a motorcycle accident, but he always remembers and loves the freedom he felt when riding. He was an avid Oakland/Las Vegas Raider fan. He had a great love for Jesus Christ and was a member of the Catholic Church where he was knighted in the Knights of Columbus.
Pat worked several different jobs, one of the weirdest of which was when he tried out to be a jockey but decided it wasn’t for him, but my mom said it was fun to watch. His last job he worked at and retired was at Toole Army Depot. He worked at a satellite facility located at Hill Air Force Base where he was a diesel mechanic. While still working, he attended a college class at night, and bragged that he could keep up with the younger students. He had a passion for the auto repair business and after his retirement owned and operated Laurie & Todd’s auto repair shop with the help of his wife for 18 years.
He was a great dancer and loved to sing. He was always right, he believed, with everyone he knew. Some of his greatest memories were when he was assistant coach for the Football League to his young grandchildren, his love of God, the way he felt when he was riding his motorcycle, trips to Wendover with his daughter and time spent with his wife, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We will miss him very much.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Bernie Salazar; his daughter, Laurie O’Dell (Thomas); His grandchildren, Tosh O’Dell, Ryan O’Dell, Gordon O’Dell (Kelly) and Patrick Salazar, four great-grandchildren; Luxalia O’Dell, Lea Salazar, Isabel O’Dell, and Luca O’Dell. His sister is Juanita (José) Chavez. He was preceded in death by his son Todd B. Salazar, grandson of Todd Salazar Jr., parents Jose Emilio Salazar and Margarita Salazar, brothers Emilio, Fred, Ernest, and Louie Salazar, and sisters Ramona Trujillo, Andrea Martinez, and Josie Gallegos.
Many thanks to the staff of Atlas Hospice and the staff at Mt Ogden Health and Rehabilitation Center who looked after him so much in the last days of his life. Thank you, Becky and Judy, for the extra care and support you have given our family, it has been greatly appreciated.
Visitation times are Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. at Aaron’s Temple, 496 24th Street in Ogden, and the funeral will be held at St. Joseph’s Church, 514 24th Street, Ogden, Utah, Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. Next reception.
Condolences can be sent to the family at aaronsmortuary.com.