Salvador Gomez Orosco Obituary (1931 - 2013)

Our beloved husband, father, and Papa, passed away on January 27, 2013 at the age of 81. He was born on February 24, 1931 in Carlsbad, New Mexico to Louisa and Lee Orosco. He spent most of his childhood in the Fresno area. He attended schools in California, ultimately graduating from Washington Union High School. In junior high school one his favorite teachers, Mrs. Moulson, asked him what he wanted to be. He replied a farmer. His teacher said that she thought he had potential for other things. She placed him in accelerated classes, and Sal began his life of working tirelessly to make his and his parents lives better. His high school yearbook describes him as "calm and even tempered, dancing as one of his favorite pastimes, always looking for a laugh, and ready to help his classmates at any time." This quote pretty much describes the Sal we all know and love. Upon graduation from Fresno State University, he was commissioned an Officer in the U.S. Air Force, and proudly served his country for 21 years. He served in the Strategic Air Command as a Master Navigator flying B-47s and B-52s. He was one of the very few to survive a B-47 crash. For this, he received the Caterpillar Pin. He flew many missions during the Vietnam Conflict. During his military career, he attended Air War College, Air Command and Staff School, and Squadron Officer School. He also did post graduate work at DePaul University and The University of Alabama. While he was stationed in Waco, Texas, he met his true love, Barbara Ward, at the officer's club at James Connally Air Force Base. It had to be true love; Barbara stepped all over his feet when she first danced with him, but they continued to dance for 56 years. They married on December 27, 1956 at Saint.Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption, and left the same day for Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento, California. From there Sal and Barbara moved around the country to Riverside, California (Lisa was born); Montgomery, Alabama; Tucson, Arizona; (David was born), Mountain Home, Idaho (Lori was born); Beale Air Force Base, Marysville, California; Waco, Texas (while Sal served in Vietnam); Wichita Falls, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; Montgomery, Alabama; Carmichael, California; finally settling in El Dorado Hills, California where life long friendships were renewed and new friends made. During all these years, Sal spent the majority of time away from home, flying for SAC. After retiring from the Air Force, he became a state auditor in El Dorado County. He then worked at AT&T as an engineer for 20 years. He volunteered his time to his church, his community, and the Knights of Columbus. Much of his time was spent teaching grandchildren to drive tractors and backhoes, cut down trees, build decks, walkways, etc., play chess, drive cars, and to be the best person he or she could ever be. Sal seldom missed a swim meet, a horse show, a soccer game, a baseball game, a track meet, piano recital, a dance at High Steppers, dinner at Pot Luck Group (40 years), Gourmet Group, Small Christian Community Group, Game Night Group, the Pioneer Group (AT&T retirees), Knights of Columbus and the Funeral Ministry at Holy Trinity. He loved people. No man or woman was a stranger. His greatest joy and accomplishment in life was his family. Sal is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Barbara, his three children: Lisa Ryan, David (Mindy) Orosco, Lori (Rob) Cima; seven grandchildren: Amber (Eric) Holwell and Lee Ryan, Alex and Taylor Orosco, Victor, Jacqueline and Sophia Cima; and one great granddaughter, Emerson Holwell. In addition, he is survived by five sisters: Sally Austin, Maryhelen Saldana (Jess), Emma Vasquera, Stella Romo(Leo), Hope Barboza, and one brother, Samuel Orosco (Florence); many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. He felt that he owed everything to his Mother and Father; they sacrificed everything so that Sal and his siblings could have a good life. He will be missed by countless relatives and friends. Friends are welcome to the visitation on Thursday, January 31, 7 p.m. at Green Valley Mortuary, Rescue. A funeral Mass will be held Friday, February 1, 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, El Dorado Hills. Burial will be at Green Valley Cemetery, with military honors. A reception will follow at the Holy Trinity Social Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to Kenyan Orphans in care of Holy Trinity Catholic Church or the Wounded Warriors Program would be appreciated by the family since those were two of Sal's favorite organizations.