Gilberto "Poncho" Saldana (Tulia)

Kress, Texas—Gilberto ‘Poncho’ Saldana, 75, died Sunday, January 6, 2008 at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, January 9, 2008 in the Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit in Tulia with Father Tony Neusch, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Tulia. A rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at the church. Mr. Saldana was born January 20, 1932 in Martindale, Texas. He moved to Tulia in early 1950. He married Aurora Trevino. He served in the US Army during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954. He returned to Tulia and continued farming. They moved to Kress in 1967. He also worked for Barbour Bros. Oil and Gas Co. in Tulia for several years and he worked at the Kress Elevator for 25 years. He was a member of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Tulia. Survivors include his wife; Aurora Saldana of Kress, 10 children; Pat Hernandez of Tulia, Elvira DeSpain of Midland, Betty Saldana of Kress, Alice Marquez of Kress, Gilbert William Saldana of Amarillo, Helen Love of Amarillo, Sandra Kniffen of Amarillo, Anna Bell Renteria of Plainview, Carlos Saldana of Maryville, Missouri and Abram Saldana of Amarillo, 27 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by 2 children; Berta Saldana and Adrian Saldana.