Manuel O. Salazar

Manuel Salazar, 79, was born in Phoenix, Arizona on August 12, 1928 to Pete and Mary Salazar. On Friday, February 29, 2008 our father and founder of Manuel’s Mexican Food Restaurants passed away surrounded by his loved ones and was welcomed into our Heavenly father’s arms. He was the eldest of eight children, Olivia Garcia, Carmen Abril-Lopez, Betty Jaramillo deceased, Sally Apodaca, Pete Salazar, Henry Salazar, and Raul Woody Salazar deceased. He will be missed by all including his former wife Alice Salazar and their four children: John Salazar, David Salazar Pam, Cynthia Garcia Uvaldo, and Patricia Romero Alex. His beloved grandchildren include: Carissa ReadBrandon, Jason Garciadeceased, Chris Garcia, Jason Moore, Michael Salazar, Gabriel Salazar, Andrea Martin Jeremy, Ashlie Aboud Luke, Breanna Hustrulid Eric, Jennifer Romero, Brittany Smith Ben, Monica Garcia, Alex Romero, and Hannah Poppert. Great grand children: Jordan Manuel Read, Alec Garcia, Isabella Read, Arianna Read, Tianna Martin, and Aileen Kirshman-Salazar. Manuel served his country driving tanks for the U.S. Army and worked as a truck driver for Tanner Brothers Construction Company hauling heavy equipment. In 1964, Manuel and Alice Salazar founded Manuel’s Mexican Restaurants. He truly loved his faithful customers and was greatly admired by his employees. He had accomplished many things in his life but will be most remembered for the love of his children and mostly the love he had for his grandchildren and great grandchildren. The viewing will be Thursday, March 6th, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., with Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m., at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home located at 4800 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix. Church services will be held at Saint Thomas the Apostle Church on Friday, March 7th, starting at 1:00 p.m., 2312 E. Campbell Ave., Phoenix. Interment will follow at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery.