SSG David Mendiola Salas, Ret. US Army – August 1, 2019

Colorado Springs, CO – SSG David Mendiola Salas (retired), age 67, passed away on 1, August 2019 after a long battle with numerous chronic health issues.

David is survived by his wife of 42 years, Lourdes Cadapan Salas; three children, Bernadette Salas Stroklund (41), Raymond Cadapan Salas (40) and Daisy Salas Williamson (38); six grandchildren, Donovan Raymond Salas (18), Jasmyn Bridget Salas (12), Bryson Salas Williamson (7), Alanah Maria Salas Stroklund (6), Alysah Lourdes Salas Stroklund (2) and Kai Salas Williamson (2).

David was born in Agana, Guam on October 30, 1951 and was 1 of 12 children born of Vicente Cruz Salas and Maria Mendiola Salas. He leaves behind his surviving siblings Roque Mendiola Salas, Bernadita Salas Pablo, Lourdes Salas Barcinas, Barbara Salas Neubauer, Benjamin Mendiola Salas, and Antonio Mendiola Salas. He joins his passed siblings Jose Mendiola Salas, Adela Salas Libed, Rosalia Salas Quinata, Guadalupe Salas Taijeron and Victoria Salas Grisham. As a child, he worked on his father’s ranch and Mathias Grocery store. David also belonged to a successful novice band as a base guitarist before joining the Job Core Trade School in Hawaii of 1968.

In 1969, he enlisted into the U.S. Army at the early age of 17. David retired after 20 distinguished years of service as an infantryman, which included a tour to Vietnam. David earned several medals during his service to include the Vietnam Campaign Medal and Vietnam Service Medal.

In 1989 he entered in the U.S Department of the Navy Civil Service, serving his country for another 20 years where he retired for the second time in 2009 at Submarine Base Bangor, Silverdale, Washington and completed his 40-year commitment to his country.

David lived his life with passion, fire and an adamant devotion to his family. During his life he was an avid golfer; a voracious fisherman and crabber; and a crooner on the Karaoke machine and pool table. Despite his battle with numerous chronic health issues, he found time to laugh, sing and love every aspect of life and all of God’s blessings that surrounded him.

Viewing will be held on Wednesday August 7, 2019, from 5pm to 7pm at the Shrine of Remembrance. A funeral service will occur 10 a.m. Thursday, August 8, 2019, in the “America the Beautiful” Chapel at Shrine of Remembrance Funeral Home, 1730 E Fountain Blvd, with interment to follow at Pikes Peak National Cemetery.