Ralph Salinas, 78, of Dimmitt passed away Friday, Sept. 12, 2014 in Amarillo. Funeral services will be Monday, Sept. 15, 2014 at 10:00 AM at Lee Street Baptist Church in Dimmitt with Brother Jose Barrera officiating, burial to follow at Castro Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Dimmitt. Family and friend visitation will be Sunday evening at the funeral home from 6:00-8:00PM. Arrangements are being handled by Colonial Funeral Home of Dimmitt. Ralph was born March 22, 1936, in Benavides, Texas to Rafael and Josefa Barrera Salinas. He and his wife Sara with three children at the time moved to Dimmitt in 1960. When asked why they had decided to move to Dimmitt, they would say they had come to visit her parents and their car broke down, so they decided to stay. Ralph started working for the City of Dimmitt in the sanitation department. Throughout the years, he worked in various departments and was promoted to foreman in 1974. Ralph was a self-made man and never received formal education on training. However, during his many years of employment with the city of Dimmitt he was awarded a number of awards and commendations for his dedication and ability to save the city money in repair and maintenance costs. He retired in March 1998. He is survived by his wife Sara Salinas of Dimmitt, Texas and five children: Odilia Gonzales of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Rachel Messick of Kansas City, Kansas, Freddy Salinas of Arlington Texas, Ralph Salinas Jr. of Austin, Texas, Rachel Lynn Salinas-Gates of Oakland Park, Kansas; 10 Grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents 1 infant child, 1 brother and 5 sisters. Memorials can be made to Primeria Iglesia Bautista Building Fund- PO Box 916 Dimmitt, Tx 79027 You may sign the online guest book at www.colonialfuneralhome.org