Ray G. Salazar

Ray G. Salazar Sr., 93, a longtime Casa Grande resident and businessman, died April 23, 2007 at Casa Grande Regional Medical Center.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, with rosary recited at 7. Funeral Mass will be celebrated there at 9 a.m. Thursday by the Rev. Thomas Hever. Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery.

Mr. Salazar was born Jan. 6, 1914 in Mexico. He was a self-employed contractor in Casa Grande for more than 50 years. He loved his family and watching baseball, especially the Atlanta Braves. He loved to travel, especially around Arizona on the back roads, which he called "ridie, ridie," and also to Hawaii.

He was a member of St. Anthony's Church and helped to build the church and the old church, now Murphy Hall. He laid the cornerstone for St. Anthony of Padua School and the current church.

Survivors include two daughters, Maria Jones of Glendale and Gina Salazar of Casa Grande; five sons, Tony, Rudy, Philip and Andy Salazar, all of Casa Grande, and Ray Salazar Jr. of Prescott Valley; 18 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mercedes (Menchaca).

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel is in charge of arrangements.