Butch Salazar

Butch Salazar, 83, died September 29, 2023, peacefully, with his loving wife, Terry, and daughter Judy by his side.

He will be missed by his wife of 63 years, Terry (Hayashi) Salazar; his daughter, Judy Bales and her husband Bill Bales; beloved sister, sisters-in-law, brother-in law, uncles, aunts, as well as beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends.

In his early years, Butch was a “Golden Gloves” boxer. He had a successful concrete business. He met the love of his life, Terry, on a blind date and they were married in 1960. Many years later, they moved to California and, after retiring, spent winters in California and summers in Montana.

He found much pleasure in coaching basketball, including one day when his daughter, Judy, came home and broke the news he was the new eighth grade girls’ basketball coach. His first year of coaching brought our eighth grade team winning the end-of-season championship game with a winning score of 11-10. For many years, he continued coaching girls’ and boys’ basketball.

He loved to cook, spending time in the kitchen to create delicious meals and desserts. Some were better than others, but we said they were all very delicious.

Butch was a total exercise nut, weightlifting and running. He even bought two spin bikes: one for the home in California and one for the Montana home, and would get up at 3 a.m. and spin for two to three hours. He was an avid fisherman and took up golf on their annual holiday visits to Texas to see daughter Judy and her husband Bill.

He was a strong man with a good sense of humor and a twinkle in his eye, as well as strong principles on how to do things right. He will be missed.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave. Funeral Mass will be at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 11, at St. Patrick Co-Cathedral, 215 N. 31st St., with burial to follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.