Paul Denago Salazar

Tuesday, Apr. 18, 2023

Paul Denago Salazar

December 14, 1938 ~ March 22, 2023

Paul D. Salazar passed away on March 22, 2023, at his home in Salt Lake City, of cancer at the age of 84. He was born in Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico, on Dec. 14, 1938, to Ernesto Salazar and Sofia Beatrice Duran. During WWII, his family moved to Utah, where he grew up in Salt Lake City.

Paul married Mary Frances Lujan in 1967 and later divorced. Two children were born of this marriage, Teresa L. Salazar and Michael Paul Salazar. On Dec. 31, 1998, he married the love of his life, Judy Adams Gallegos. Together they had 10 magical years before her passing on Aug. 20, 2008.

In 1957, Paul enlisted in the United States Army. Upon graduation from basic training and artillery school, Paul completed the U.S. Army Basic Airborne School and went on to distinguish himself for 20 years in the Airborne Artillery. Paul was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam from May 1966 to May 1967; he was awarded the Bronze Star for gallantry and also made a parachute jump into combat. During his service in the U.S. Army, Paul received many medals and other honors. He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant First Class on July 3, 1980.

Upon his retirement from the Army, he began working for the U.S. Postal Service. Paul held various positions within the postal service during his many years of employment, completing his career in human resources in the labor relations department. Paul retired in 2002. In 2007, Paul served on the board of the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Merit Commission, where he received the Citizen Service Award. 

He is survived by daughter Teresa L. Salazar, granddaughters Tashina T. and Michelle Salazar, sisters Ruth Fresques (Emilio) and Rosie Archuleta, and brother Ray Salazar. Preceded in death by his parents, son Michael Paul Salazar, brother Ernest J. Salazar and sister Mary Vialpando.

A Celebration of Life and funeral Mass will be held on April 21, 2023, at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, 4914 South 2200 West, Taylorsville, at 11 a.m., with a rosary at 10:45 a.m. A graveside service will follow beginning at 2 p.m. at Utah Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park, 17111 S. Camp Williams Rd., Bluffdale.