Darren Robert Salazar dies at 19
Darren Robert Salazar died Saturday in an auto accident near Gypsum. He was 19.Salazar was born on April 13, 1985 in Vail. His parents are Lisa Martinez and Robert E. Salazar. Salazar went to Red Sandstone Elementary School and Battle Mountain High School. Most recently he was employed as a gutter specialist with Vail Valley Gutters.
Friends and family members say Salazar enjoyed baseball and football, was an avid Nintendo and Xbox player and loved music. Salazar hunted with his grandfather and was especially fond of teasing his younger brother, but along with the teasing, Salazar always took care of Andrew, friends and family member say. Besides family and friends, Salazar spent plenty of time with his dog, LaLa.Salazar is survived by his parents, Lisa Martinez of Red Cliff and Robert Salazar and his wife, Beverly Padilla, of Gypsum; brother Andrew of Gypsum; step-sisters Shannen and Meredith Padilla; his grandparents, Jose and Jane Martinez of Red Cliff and George and Elsie Salazar of Eagles Nest; and his great grandmothers, Gertrude Medina, formerly of Red Cliff and now in Carbondale, and Tonita Medina of Broomfield.
Darren is also survived by his godparents, Joseph and Celine Martinez as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.There will be a visitation on today from 6 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Annunciation Catholic Church in Leadville. The rosary will be Thursday at 7 p.m. in the gym at Battle Mountain High School in Eagle-Vail. Mass of Christian burial will be Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Parish Center in Minturn. Father Hugh M. Guentner, O.S.M., will officiate and music will be provided by Bobby Mascarenas, JoJo Ramos and Bob Trezise. The eulogy will be given by Joseph Martinez and readers will be Celine Martinez and Sonya Lovato. Ushers will be Michael Lovato and Cesar Hermosillo.
Interment will be in River View Cemetery in Minturn. Pallbearers will be Paul Rodriguez, Joseph Martinez, Corey Sandoval, Anthony Serna, Melvin Valdez and Jeremy Salazar. Frankie Salazar will be an honorary pallbearers.Following the interment, there will be a reception at the Spirit Center in Minturn.Arrangements are being handled by Bailey Funeral Home. Those wishing may make memorial contributions to the Darren R. Salazar Funeral Fund, c/o Lisa Martinez, Avon 1st Bank, P.O. Box 5270, Avon, CO 81620.Vail Colorado
