Joseph 'Lee' Elizardo Salaz

Friday, Feb. 13, 2015

BOUNTIFUL — Joseph Lee Elizardo Salaz, 94, passed away Jan. 19, 2015.

Salaz was born in Ignacio, Colo. on Nov. 14, 1920, to Mariano Salaz and Florinda Padilla Salaz. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the South Pacific for five years during World War II and later served on the USS Columbus. He was discharged from the military on Nov. 13, 1945. He married Mary G. Velasquez on Dec. 1, 1945 at Sacred Heart Church in Durango, Colo.  

Salaz was a member of the Catholic Church and helped build and did electrical wiring for the St. James the Just Catholic Church building. He watched and helped the church expand over the years, adding a new chapel, sanctuary, gymnasium and activity center. He had been a silent member of the Knights of Columbus since 1946.

Salaz is survived by wife Mary; children Robert Salaz (Denise), Darlene Zultewicz (Joe) and Vickie Samarrae (Jawdat); four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one brother, Don Salaz; and many nieces and nephews. 

Salaz was preceded in death by grandsons Kyle, Shane, and Chadd Salaz and Tony Samarrae; three sisters and three brothers.

A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. James the Just Catholic Church.