Antonio Garcia Salinas, 73, a resident of Española was born August 17, 1939 in Corpus Christi, Texas, went to meet our Lord on Thursday, November 1, 2012, “All Saints Day” surrounded by his family after a lengthy illness. He was preceded in death by his son; Albino Salinas IV, his parents; Albino Salinas and Sobeida Garcia; his in-laws, Guadalupe Martinez and Sofia Lopez; brothers–in-law, Gilbert Peña, J. Aloe and Alvin Martinez; sister-in-law, Maria Cordelia Martinez; son-in-law, Robert Michael “Micky” Garcia; nephews, Gilbert Peña Jr. and Robert Salinas Jr. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Josefina Martinez de Salinas; his children, Antonio Salinas Jr. (Tania) of Albuquerque, Theresa Garcia of Phoenix, AZ, Sandra Anderson (Henry) of Española, NM, Aaron Salinas (Carmella); brother, Robert Salinas of La Marque, TX; sister, Theresa Peña of Houston, TX; sister-in-law, Maria M. Garcia (Randy) of Meeker, OK; God-children, Andre Garcia, Brittany Apodaca. MiKayla Gurule, Florencio Granado and Jose Guadalupe Martinez; 17 grandchildren, Amanda and Monica Salinas, Valerie Montaño, Daniela Salinas, Janae Martinez, Claudia and Hannah Rosacker, Robert, Michael and Christopher Garcia, Jacob Martinez, James Montaño, Albino, Raymond, Antonio M., Andres, Aaron Alejandro “Bubs” Salinas; 5 great-grandchildren, Mikayla, John Gurule, Zaydrian Cordova, Isabella and Esperanza Sandoval; and many other relatives and friends. Mr. Salinas served in the U.S. Army in 1958 to 1963. He received his Bachelor Degree in Counseling from Antioch University West. He also obtained a teaching degree from Highlands University. Mr. Salinas taught Special Education for 22 years for the Española School District. He would say “these are the best years of my life, teaching” and music was his other love. He composed many songs. His hardest song he composed was “El Corrido” for his son, Albino. He recorded 3 CDs – “Los Dos Aces with Alex Salazar, “Live at Gabriel,” with Trio Los Llaneros – along with Alex Salazar and Manny Chavez, “Te Estraño with El Llanero.” Many people knew him for his music and his delicious tamales. We will all miss this wonderful loving gentleman. Public visitation will begin on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian burial to be celebrated on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at La Igleisa de Santa Cruz de la Cañada. Burial to follow at the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery with the following serving as pallbearers: Robert Garcia, James Montano, Michael, Christopher Garcia, Albino Salinas V and Antonio M. Salinas. Honorary pallbearers will be the rest of his grandchildren, nephews, and nieces. The family of Antonio Garica Salinas has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley.