Francisco J. Saldana

FRANCISCO J. SALDAÑA October 2, 1923 – January 27, 2014 Francisco J. Saldaña, P.E., died peacefully, surrounded by family, on January 27, 2014 at the age of 90. He graduated from Martin High School in 1942, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1947, and had been a Registered Professional Engineer since 1958. He worked for the International Boundary and Water Commission for thirty-three years where he served as Supervisory Hydraulic Engineer and Chief of Hydrography in charge of the Rio Grande River from El Paso to the Gulf of Mexico, headquartered in Laredo. He was involved in the design phases of both Falcon Dam in the early 1950’s and Amistad Dam in the late 1960’s. He maintained offices in El Paso, Alpine, Del Rio, Eagle Pass and Harlingen, and during flood operations, at Amistad and Falcon Dams. He was a member of the Gateway Chapter Texas Society of Professional Engineers, twice President and Charter Member of the Laredo A & M Club, and President of the Federal Executives Association of Laredo. He was a successful rancher, twice being named Outstanding Rancher in both Webb and Zapata counties where he had been in the ranching business for nearly fifty years. He, along with his mother, Antonia and his brother, Hector formed Three S Cattle Company in the mid 1960’s, which is still in operation today. He was a member of the first Planning and Zoning Commission for the City of Laredo and was a member of the committee that was charged with redistricting as was mandated by the new City of Laredo Charter and the U. S. Department of Justice. He was also a member of the first Webb County Appraisal Review Board in the 1980's. The family wishes to express its sincere gratitude to his doctors for the excellent care that they gave him during his various illnesses over the years, Dennis D. Cantu, M.D., Manuel J. Gonzalez, M.D., Ivan Mederos, M.D. and Eduardo B. Fernandez, M.D.; his nurse, Gloria Solorio; and to his wonderful caretakers, Mari, Mireya, Agustina, Diana and Lupe. He was predeceased by his father, Miguel S. Saldaña and his mother, Antonia Garcia Treviño; and by his brothers and sisters, Ernestina S. (Francisco J. “Paco”) Flores, Miguel J. Saldaña, Oscar M. (Enriqueta) Saldaña, Irene Saldaña, Graciela S. (Jesse G.) Hernandez, Juan A. (Blasita) Saldaña, and Manuel Ramiro Saldaña. He is survived by his wife, Naomi B. Saldaña; his two sons, Frank J. (Cynthia) Saldaña Jr., and Ricardo D. (Katherine) Saldaña; 7 grandchildren, Frank M. (Brenda) Saldaña, Robert A. Saldaña, Gabriela C. (Michael) Barron, Analisa Saldaña, Armando X. (Adrienne) Saldaña, Ricardo D. (Alexa) Saldaña Jr., and Cristina (Robert) Dodier; 10 great grandchildren; his brother, Hector A. Saldaña; his sister-in-law, Josefina P. Saldaña; and by numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom he was very close to. A rosary was recited on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hillside Funeral Chapel. A visitation was held from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. from Hillside Funeral Home to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. A mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Entombment will follow in the mausoleum of the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Francisco J. Flores Jr., Jose Antonio Saldaña, Hector A. Saldaña Jr., Jesse G. Hernandez, Enrique M. Saldaña, Frank D. Barrera, Ricardo D. Saldaña Jr., Frank M. Saldaña, Robert A. Saldaña, and Armando X. Saldaña. Honorary pallbearers will be Hector A. Saldaña, Francisco J. Rodriguez, Miguel J. Saldaña Jr., Carlos Saldaña, Jose F. Flores, Miguel I. Flores, Michael G. Barrera, Steven Barrera, Carlos D. Barrera Jr., Richard M. Barrera, Anthony “Tony” Barrera Jr., Daniel Saldaña, Luis E. Saldaña, David A. Saldaña, Michael Barron, Robert D. Dodier, Jorge L. Garcia, and Vito H. Ruiz. If you would like to sign the guestbook or send private condolences, you may do so at www.hillsidefuneral.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Hillside Funeral Home, 310 Hillside Road.