Reynaldo G. Saldana

Reynaldo G. Saldana, 82 year old Lake Shastina resident, passed away and joined our heavenly father on Wednesday, December 5th, 2012. He has his wings back and is free to fly and dance once again. When he passed, he was surrounded by many of his family members and friends that loved him. Rey was born on November 8, 1930 in Harlingen, Texas to Ezequiel and Rosita Saldana and grew up in Texas and Detroit, Mich. Rey joined the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War. Rey married Patricia Martin and the couple had a daughter, Cynthia. Reynaldo and Patricia later divorced but stayed close in each other’s hearts and lives. Rey loved people and would make them smile where ever he would go. He owned a very successful restaurant at one time in Michigan where the customers were always happy to line up around the block to taste his spicy Latin cuisine. Rey was also an accomplished welder. He loved to dance and sing and was an instructor for the Aurthur Murray Dance Studio. He was blessed with the gift of dance (even being televised a few times) and although he enjoyed getting dressed up and going out dancing with family and friends, Rey would have just as much fun dancing and teaching his family to dance at home at family parties. All the kids would line up and learn the Camel Walk (Yes this was before the Moon Walk.) And boy did everyone have fun. In addition to Detroit, Rey lived in San Jose and after living in New Jersey with his daughter for a few years, he moved back to California and had been living in Siskiyou County for the past 5 years where he was cared for by his loving and devoted sister Lydia while battling Alzheimer's. Being the son of a minister, Reynaldo had a beautiful and very strong faith in the Lord. He often prayed and sang songs giving glory to God with his family, especially with his sister Rosabella, right up to his last moments before he met the Lord and his Mother and Father in heaven. Rey is survived by his daughter, Cynthia Saldana of New Jersey; three sons, Ruben, Richard and Michael Oriel; 4 grandchildren, Anastasia and Andreas Aktipis and Krista and Koressa Oriel; his former wife, Pat Martin; 6 siblings, Ludim Rodriguez of San Jose, Lydia Sheridan of Lake Shastina, Ezequiel Saldana Jr., Merari “Mary” Martinez of Yreka, Elizabeth Martinez of San Jose and Rosabella Saldana of Yreka and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Esther Haro. Friends and family are invited to a visitation on Thursday evening, December 27, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Girdner Funeral Chapel in Yreka. Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Girdner's. Burial with military honors will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

Reynaldo G. Saldana

November 8, 1930 - December 5, 2012