Jan Mark Salazar, 58 of Colorado Springs, and formerly of Monte Vista, passed away at his home following a short illness.
Jan was born on May 3, 1956 in Amarillo, TX to Modesto and Martha Salazar. He, along with his family traveled the world at a young age as an Air Force brat. Because his parents instilled duty, honor and service to his country, Jan was inspired to enlist in the Marine Corps during the Viet Nam era. At the age of 19, he earned the rank of Sergeant, overseeing a platoon of 36 Marines. Jan graduated from Monte Vista High School in 1974 and Adams State College in 1986. In 2014, he graduated Cum Laude with a post baccalaureate certificate in Paralegal Studies from Kaplan University. At the time of his death, Jan was working on his Master’s in Public Administration. He achieved a 4.0 GPA and was nearly through the program. Jan’s working career began while he was in high school at Safeway as a carryout. After returning from the Marine Corps, Jan returned to Safeway, working his way up to Assistant Manager. He enjoyed being part of the original Safeway crew including Dave, Ernest, Ronnie, Victor, Arlene, Helen, Betty, Tony, Gilbert, Della, Joe, Denise, Fred, Ben, Don, Phil, Richard, Gabe and Kelli. They were not just co-workers, they were all good friends. After graduating from Adams State in 1986, Jan went to Fort Collins to seek his fame and fortune. There he began his career with Silo starting out as an audio salesman, and working his way up to Regional Manager in Chicago, with 35 stores and 500 employees underneath him. After that he became a top seller in various software companies, most notably, Profit Systems of Colorado Springs. His achievement as top seller of the year was recognized two years in a row in the 1999 and 2000 International WHO’S WHO of professionals. Finally, in Jan’s later years he was an insurance broker, taking great pride in his ability to help people navigate the tangled web of insurance.

Jan’s greatest passion was his son, MacKenzie. He was a strong believer in education and was instrumental in MacKenzie’s success in the business world today. Jan was also a devout Catholic. Just last year he sponsored his sweetheart and partner in life, Tracy, as she went through the RCIA process and was baptized and confirmed. Jan loved life and lived every day to the fullest. There was never a dull moment when Jan was around. He loved God, his family and his country, in that order. He was always trying to help others succeed in life, even if it meant sacrificing for himself. Jan was witty, charming, tenacious, strong-willed, loving-especially to his mom, eager to please, always on time, a fierce protector, a scholar, always fun and funny, a great dancer, and always smiling. Jan was preceded in death by his father, Modesto; sister and best friend, Joya Guttierrez and brother-in-law, Mike Guttierrez. He is survived by his son, MacKenzie Salazar of Brooklyn, NY; his mother, Martha Salazar of Monte Vista; his sweetheart, Tracy Trujillo of Colorado Springs; and his siblings: Jerry Salazar of Monte Vista; Joey Salazar of Taylor Ranch, NM; Josette (Louie) Borrego of Espanola, NM; and Jessica (Jeff) Simmons of Monte Vista.

Viewing and visitation will take place on Sunday, January 18th from 1:00-6:00 p.m. at the Rogers Family Mortuary, 404 Morris St., in Monte Vista. A Recitation of the Rosary will be at 7:00 p.m. Monday, January 19th at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Monte Vista. A Funeral Service will take place at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 20, 2015 also at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Monte Vista. Inurnment will take place at Colorado State Veteran’s Center at Homelake, CO following the Funeral Mass.

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