Ralph R Salas

Ralph R. Salas Jr. was born on November 29th, 1958, in Albuquerque, New Mexico and raised by his parents Elvira C Salas and Raphael Salas Sr. in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Leah Salas, his four children Giancarlo, Lauren, Austin (Brianna) and Cameron Salas, grandchildren Easton and Briella Salas, younger brother Davie (Kelly), his sister Darlene Salas and countless special relatives and family friends who loved him dearly. He is preceded in death by his parents and his older brother Henry Salas.

Ralph spent his early years growing up on Mesquite Street alongside fellow cousins and friends and later moved out to Dona Ana where his father built their family home. Ralph then went on to attend Mayfield High school where he excelled in his love for sports as an amazing track, baseball and basketball star. During his time there, Ralph met a confident and beautiful cheerleader named Leah Camunez, they became high school sweethearts and later married on August 6, 1986, and began raising a family and building a business together.

After graduating from Mayfield in 1976 Ralph began his construction career working alongside his father building rock walls, and after his father’s passing in 1979, Ralph created his own company, “Salas Homes,” where he spent his entire life committed to designing and building beautiful custom homes in the Las Cruces community, expanding into commercial retail and hotel projects, and large-scale apartment complexes contributing to the growth and development of our city.

Despite the challenges Ralph faced starting out young and on his own, and being told his dreams were hard to achieve, his competitive drive and determination propelled him to ensure the life he wanted to for his family.. Ralph enjoyed having the opportunity to create homes that reflected his vision of beauty and function and always tried to leave his own unique mark in all his builds.

Ralph was a respected member of the Home Builder’s Association for many of his decades of building and both he and Leah truly enjoyed the challenge of being part of the Las Cruces Showcase of Homes.

Ralph was also a quiet champion for young people and shared his ability to connect with them in his own down-to-earth and personal way. For his children, he was a dad who made every swim meet, football game, or any event or milestone there was to enjoy watching or celebrate with them, and that often meant that Ralph was also sharing those same moments with his children’s friends and classmates who knew just the right dad and household in which to find love and support, as well as a great feast or barbecue almost any weekend. During these moments, Ralph often provided some needed fatherly or coaching advice or an uplifting story when anyone felt down or needed to talk. More recently he loved spending time with his new grandchildren who brought him much joy each day.

Ralph was known for his giving heart and the way that he made people feel heard and important. He loved giving to others and took every opportunity he could to do so. He was a great listener and gave his full attention to whoever he was talking to. If he knew you needed an opportunity to work, he would give you a job. If he knew you needed a ride or a place to stay, he would offer you a way home or a place to sleep.

Ralph experienced many challenges throughout his life and was a fighter through it all. A little over a year ago, he was given less than a 5% chance to live and by the grace of God he survived. It was truly a miracle. He shared the amazing story of meeting God and him telling him “You will be alright; it is not your time.” Despite what the doctors told us, he survived and lived an amazing last year being able to experience so many blessings with his family. He deepened the faith of those who witnessed this miracle and his strength. He fought until the very end and went peacefully on February 7th, 2024. He had a smile on his face as he took his last breath. We know Ralph was greeted by his mother and father up in heaven. We hope the angels know what they have now. Ralph will always be an inspiration of what it means to take care of your loved ones and change the lives of those around you. He impacted so many lives. We hope to carry on his example of love.

A heartfelt thank you to caregiver Josefina Brito and some of the amazing professionals at Memorial Medical Center who took loving and attentive care of Ralph throughout his journey, especially Dr. Claudio Perez-Ledesma, Dr. Pierre Reinhold, Dr. Daan, Dr. Liang, our favorite nurse Karl Ngoe, Katie Thiesen, and Nurse Kimberly and many others from the ICU.

A Rosary is scheduled for 6:30 pm on Thursday February 15th at the Basilica of San Albino in Mesilla. The Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 am Friday February 16th at the Basilica of San Albino in Mesilla, New Mexico. Please come join us as we celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, donations and contributions can made to The Boys and Girls Club of Las Cruces.