Marcelo Salinas

Marcelo "Marc" Salinas 

Marcelo was born in La Union, NM on October 7, 1933.

Marc, the son of José and Juliana Salinas, is the last sibling of their twelve children. Marc fondly recalls his youth growing up with sisters, Genoveva, Librada & Mercedes, and brothers Ramon, and Cruz, a young 18-year-old Army soldier killed in WWII. Marc attended Gadsden High School through 9th grade, then returned to the farm to help his family, before following his dream of joining the U.S. Air Force on Dec. 21st, 1951. Marc's first assignments were overseas to Fürstenfeldbruck AB, Frankfurt, Germany, and then to Rhein-Main AB, Germany where he would meet & marry the love of his life, Ruth Grossmann of Wuppertal Germany. 

Marc's USAF, Strategic Air Command "SAC" career sent him to various Radio Operator Communications assignments worldwide with Ruth, where their children, David, Dan, and Susie were born. (Frankfurt Germany, Hampton, Virginia & Barcelona, Spain.) Wife, Ruth was a strong woman of faith and a resilient military wife enthusiastically setting up each household despite the challenges of their frequent moves. In 1961 they survived a Cat 5 hurricane named Carla, stationed at Port O'Connor TX, but their home/household did not, ALL was lost. In total, Marc was assigned to 14 diverse U.S. Air Force locales. He had orders to two separate solo remote, I year assignments to Sondrestrom AB, Greenland in 1962, and Udorn AB, Thailand in 1971, and surprisingly a 2 year "remote with family" to Goose Bay AB, Happy Valley, Labrador, Canada, in 1967. 

Marc served in USAF honorably for 21 years, enjoying every moment until retirement in Omaha, Nebraska. After his USAF retirement, Marc a creative artist since childhood and through his SAC career, attended the Studio Academy, School of Advertising & Design, in Omaha, Nebraska. After graduating, he returned to El Paso, Texas, to be near his parents, and was hired as a government specialist, GS Graphic/ Visual Artist at Ft Bliss. Marc alongside 20 other fellow graphic artists at East Bliss was responsible for military artwork, training aides & murals across Ft Bliss. Marc an avid artist, who specialized in pencil portrait drawings, caricatures, logo design, and military patches including his majestic oil painting of a B- 52 painted while on assignment in Greenland. (At home Grandpa's art/drafting table was always available for the grandkids to draw and sketch on when visiting) 

He also enjoyed being a HAM Amateur radio operator and volunteering at the MARS stations on base and as part of the El Paso Amateur Radio Club. (Dad enjoyed taking his kids to many Airshows always carrying his portable handheld Ham Radio or we kids sported his walkie-talkies.) Marc excelled & again retired with 20+ more years as a GS, with a combined 40 years of government service. 

God blessed Marc and Ruth with an incredible family legacy. They both carried their gentle spirit of faith all through our families by showing love for God and a generous heart for each of their 3 children, 9 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. He was so happy with their visits, their calls, and their artwork for him. Dad always wanted to know updates on how each one was doing, either by text, Facebook, or FaceTime.  

Marc also enjoyed his extended family of the Salinas, Porras, and Marson's nephews and nieces would visit him often or write him letters. He was so proud of each of them, and their families and tried to stay connected as much as possible. (Marc even met with his USAF cousin on the flight line in Japan, while en route to another base.) 

There's so much more God had for Marcs’

life, that you are part of. His childhood, his family, his neighbors, & his church family. His trademark holly leaves on Christmas cards, each hand-drawn, and his fascination for Snoopy & Calvin & Hobbs cartoons. Please continue to share those stories you have in your heart and pictures with each other.

We rejoice that Marc is reunited with his dear Ruth in heaven.

But oh!! How we will miss him greatly.

 ROMEO INDIA PAPA (Rest in Peace). Marc is preceded in death by his parents, José and Juliana Salinas, and his wife of forty-eight years, Ruth Grossmann Salinas. Marc / (Ruth's) Family SON David Salinas Michael/ Jessica Salinas Brian Salinas Koichi Iwasa Kenji / Nicole Salinas SON Dan/ Pat Salinas Marc / Jessica Salinas Mathew Salinas Stephanie / Jackie Holt DAUGHTER Susie/ Rick Thornton Will / Katie Thornton Brigetta / Garrett Routh Great Grandchildren Jensen Dean Salinas Mica Salinas Perry Holt Eleanor " Ella " Routh Leia Marie Routh Adalynn "Addy" Mae Thornton

Visitation will begin at 11:00am with a Scripture Service to be held at 12:00pm on Monday, December 30, 2024 at Sunset Funeral Home - Northeast, 4631 Hondo Pass Dr. Committal Service to follow at 1:30pm on Monday, December 30, 2024 at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Ave.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Christ the Savior Catholic Church Building Fund or charity of your choice.