José Amador “Pepe” Salinas, age 89, of Río Grande City, TX died on May 22,2018, with his family at his bedside. Pepe was born on April 30, 1929, at Las Escobas Ranch to Anastacia Guerra and Salvador Salinas. Pepe was raised at his family’s Texas ranch and lived there most of his life. He graduated from Roma High School and served honorably in the United States Army, having been stationed at Forts Bliss and Mead and overseas in Frankfurt, Germany from 1954-1956. Pepe joined his father and his brothers, Uvaldo and Leonel, working the family ranch until his brothers’ deaths. He moved to Río Grande City in 1997 and lived there until his death. His greatest sense of accomplishment came from assisting in the preservation of his family’s almost 170 year legacy – The Las Escobas Ranch.
Pepe was active in his community and served as a school trustee in the Roma Independent School District from 1967-1975. He valued his friends and family and stayed in touch with his Army buddies throughout the years.
Pepe married the love of his life, María Mercedes “Mercy” García, on September 2, 1972, in Kingsville, TX. He loved his in-laws, Delfina and Filiberto García, and enjoyed welcoming them to the ranch when they came to visit. He took great pride in showing the ranch and the ranch house to his nieces and nephews when they visited in the summer time or on holidays. He was especially close to his brother-in-law, Angel Escobar, and joined him on many trips to casinos all over the United States.
Remaining to cherish his memories are his wife of 45 years, Mercy Salinas of Río Grande City, brothers-in-law Fil García of Kingsville, TX and Gene (Connie) García of Rockport, TX, sisters-in-law María Salinas of Rio Grande City, TX, Inés García and Gertrudis Escobar of Austin, TX. Sharing the loss are his nephews, Salvador Salinas of Temple, TX, Uvaldo Salinas, Jr. of Río Grande City, David Salinas, Leo Salinas, Juan García of Oakland, CA, Gene García of Houston, TX, Miguel Escobar of Round Rock, TX, and Michael Escobar of Corpus Christ, TX; his nieces, Melba Landes (Hector) of McAllen, TX, Norma Salinas of Río Grande City, Adriana DelaRosa of Roma, TX, Kathy Longoria of Kingsville, TX, Caryl García of Eugene, OR, Dana García of New Braunfels, TX, Leila García of Washington, D.C., Rebecca Hawn of Corpus Christi, TX, and Andrea Restrepo of Sherman, TX.
Pepe was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Uvaldo Salinas, his sister-in-law, Alicia Ramos Salinas, his brother Leonel Salinas, his brother-in-law, Angel Escobar.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, May 24 at Rodriguez Funeral Home in Roma from 1:00 – 9:00 pm. A recitation of the holy rosary will be held at 7:00 pm. A mass of Christian burial is scheduled for Friday, May 25, 2018 at Sacred Heart Church in Escobares, TX . Pallbearers will be Salvador Salinas, Uvaldo Salinas, Jr., Miguel Escobar, Juan Garcia, Emanuel Vela, and Carlos Mata. Interment with military honors will follow in Roma Cemetery. Military Honor will be provided by local veterans. Funeral Services have been entrusted to Rodriguez Funeral Home of Roma, TX.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Jose A. Salinas/ Las Escobas Ranch Memorial Fund c/o Ines Garcia, 6310 Abilene Trail, Austin, TX 78749.