Paul D. Salazar passed away on March 22, 2023, at his home in Salt Lake City, UT, 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. His family moved to Utah during WWII where he grew up in Salt Lake City.

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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. 31st, 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 Artillery. Upon graduation from Basic Training and Artillery School, Paul completed the US Army Basic Airborne School and went on to distinguish himself for 20 years in the AIRBORNE ARTILLERY.

Some of Paul’s many duty positions include:

Fire Direction Specialist

Operations and Intelligence NCO

Personnel Senior Sergeant

Field Artillery Surveyor

Some Duty Assignments include:

HSB 1st BN 319th FIELD ARTILLERY

HHB 3rd BN 35th FIELD ARTILLERY, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Germany

B BTRY 1/319th FIELD ARTILLERY, 82nd Airborne, Bien-Hoa Vietnam

Army Divisions Assigned include:

18th AIRBORNE CORPS, Germany

82nd AIRBORNE DIVISION, Vietnam & Fort Bragg, North Carolina

101st AIRBORNE DIVISION, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

173rd AIRBORNE BRIGADE, Vietnam

Paul was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam from May 1966 – May 1967 where he was awarded the Bronze Star for Gallantry and also made a Parachute Jump into Combat.

Awards and Decorations include:

Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal W/ 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Medal 6th Award, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry W/Palm 2nd Award. Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Meritorious Unit Ribbon

Parachutist Badge

Senior Parachutist Badge

Master Parachutist Badge W/Combat Jump Star

Expert Marksmanship Badge

Paul was honorably discharged as a Sergeant First Class on July 3, 1980.

Upon his retirement from the US Army, he began working for the US Postal Service. Paul held various positions within the Postal Service during his many years of employment. He completed his Postal career in Human Resources in the Labor Relations Department. He was fortunate enough to work with a number of dedicated and professional people of whom he was proud to call his friends. 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".

Paul enjoyed golfing with family & friends, fishing with his family, drinking tequila and smoking a good cigar.

Paul left this message to his family and friends, "I've had a very eventful and fulfilling life. Although things did not always go the way I wanted them to, I can honestly say that there isn't much I would change. I would like to be remembered as a decent person who loved God with all my heart. I know that I am now reunited with all those whom I have loved dearly and missed so much."

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

Celebration of Life will be celebrated with a Mass on April 21, 2023, at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, 4914 S. 2200 W., Taylorsville, UT, 84129, at 11:00 a.m. For those interested, a rosary will be prior to Mass at 10:45 a.m.

A graveside service will follow on April 21, 2023, beginning at 2:00 p.m. at Utah Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park, 17111 S. Camp Williams Rd., Bluffdale, UT, 84065.