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John Salopek, 80, passed away Monday, April 15, 2002 at Arbors of Del Rey. He was born September 22, 1921 in Ogulin, Croatia to David and Mary Salopek. In 1929, the family moved to White Spur, north of El Paso, TX then to the Mesilla Valley in 1935. He attended Las Cruces High School where he received a testimonial for unusual ability as Livestock Judge held at the American Royal Livestock Show in Kansas City, Missouri in 1939. He graduated from New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts, now New Mexico State University, February 4, 1949 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. He belonged to the New Mexico Farm Bureau, Southwest Irrigated Cotton Growers, Knights of Columbus and American Legion Post #0010. He was on the Board of Directors of Mesilla Gin; and chairman of the board for Elephant Butte Irrigation District for 18 years resigning in 1997. In December 1999, he was inducted into the Sam Steel Society at New Mexico State University for being a pioneer in using full-grown pecan transplants. He was an avid financial supporter of NMSU and cooperator in pecan research. He married Margaret Meny in 1947 and married Dacia Custer Salopek in 1980. John was a second lieutenant in the 242nd Rainbow Division, G company in World War II. He was reported missing in action, but taken prisoner spending three months in a German prison camp before escaping. It took him 13 days in mid-winter to get back to American lines. In the process his feet were frozen and turning black, but were saved by a French Red Cross worker, Xavier Cattay, who hid him in a wine cellar and enlisted a nurse to treat his feet with bandages soaked in brandy. He received the Bronze Star for exemplary conduct in ground combat against the enemy, the Silver Star, and the Purple Heart. He is preceded in death by his parents, David and Mary; brothers, Tony, David, and Frank. He is survived by his wife, Dacia, of Las Cruces; his seven children, Ellen Walth of Boulder, CO, Jim Salopek of Santa Fe, NM, Jack Salopek and wife, Vicki of Las Cruces, Elizabeth Hoffman and husband, Bill of Las Cruces, Patty Kinney and husband, Bob of Albuquerque, Steve Salopek and wife, Marcia of Las Cruces; and Christine Brown and husband, Bill of Grapevine, TX; step-children, Gary and Sandra Steele of Dripping Springs, TX and Laura Montoya and husband, Marty of Las Cruces; his sister, Ann Hoffman of Albuquerque, NM; and brother, Tom Salopek; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Viewing will be from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, April 18, at Graham Mortuary. Funeral Services will be 3:00 p.m., Friday, April 19, 2002 at Graham Mortuary Chapel. Private Burial Services will be at Santa Fe Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM.
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