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Didio B. Salas peacefully passed away at his home in Los Lunas, NM on Thursday, February 3, 2005. He was surrounded by his loving family and friends at the time of his death. He was born at San Francisco, NM on April 23, 1919 to the late Alvino and Elvira (Baca) Salas, and was the grandson of the late Lorenzo and Tomasita (Contreras) Salas and the late Dolores and Marcheria (Carrillo) Baca. Didio began his education at the elementary school in San Francisco, NM in Socorro County, and took his secondary studies at La Joya High School where he graduated in 1935. Between that time and 1951, he taught, and also intermittently returned to the University of New Mexico, where he completed requirements for the degree of Master of Science in School Administration. From 1936 to 1942 he taught at the Socorro County School in San Francisco where he had received his own early education. He then left to enter the armed forces, entering in the United States Air Corps on June 26, 1942. He was sent to officer's candidate school at Miami Beach and was commissioned a second lieutenant after six months there. He was later promoted to first lieutenant. He was then assigned to teaching English to non-readers and to those United States troops who spoke languages other than English. His unit was the 4510th Air Base Unit Service Squadron at Robins Field, Georgia - an outfit which pioneered in this type of training. It established standards and procedures later adopted elsewhere. Lieutenant Salas continued in this rewarding work until the time of his honorable discharge on October 29, 1945. Then returning to New Mexico, he taught at La Joya High School until May 1950. After spending the following year at the University of New Mexico, he accepted appointment in September 1951, to a post with the New Mexico Public Health Department, which he served in the capacity as health inspector in Espanola, NM. He resigned from this position to become a candidate for county school superintendent in Socorro County. Elected, he was installed in office in January 1953, was re-elected for the following year, and served until December 31, 1956. In November of that year, Didio entered the contest for state senator from Socorro County. A strong Democrat, he was pitted against a powerful Republican opponent, and was given little chance for a victory; but he won and took his seat in the state legislature in 1957. He held this office until the end of 1960. Consequently, he resumed his work in the educational field, in the Bernalillo municipal schools, as a principal of the Santo Domingo Public School. This was the first school of its type in the state to have an Indian enrollment of one hundred percent, but later on a school consolidation plan integrated these children with those of Spanish and Anglo descent. In 1959 Didio and his family moved to Santa Fe, NM where he started teaching again. He was principal at Manderfield School and Director of the Title One Federal Program. Upon his retirement he moved to Bernardo, NM and ran a business known as "Didio's Mini Mart" until 1980. In November 1990, Didio was elected to the Socorro County Commission for two-year term. He is preceded in death by his beloved son, Didio, Jr.; brother, Alvino, Jr., and his wife, Catalina; and sister, Crucita Ortega and her husband, Eduplio. Didio is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Ann; one son, Tony and his wife, Nettie of Bernardo; two daughters, Ruth Ann Burkman of El Paso, TX and Hyacinth Salas and her husband, Steve Clemenson of Los Lunas; five grandchildren, Mark Forte, Troy Burkman and his wife, Teresa, Amber Huffman and her husband, Mark, Miriah and Aubre Salas; two great-grandchildren, Colton Little and Olivia Burkman; and many loving nieces and nephews. With the utmost respect for his wishes, cremation has taken place. All services will be held at the San Antonio Mission Church in Abeytas, NM beginning with a visitation on Friday, February 11, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. followed by a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. to be recited by Consie Gabaldon and Sandra Sanchez. A visitation will be held on Saturday, February 12, 2005 at 9:30 a.m. with a funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. with Father Dennis Dolter officiating. Interment will follow at the Abeytas Cemetery. Romero Funeral Home 609 N. Main St. Belen, NM.
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