Salvador Zarate Jr.

In Loving Memory of
Salvador " Chacho" Zarate, Jr.

Salvador "Chacho" Zarate, Jr. was born on December 22,1952 to Salvador Zarate of La Grulla, Texas and Elvia Flores Zarate of El Huarache Ranch in Sullivan City, Texas.
He is proceeded in death by his parents, siblings Gumaro Zarate, Jesus O. Zarate and Santiago Zarate.
Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 49 years, Estelle C. Zarate. Daughters Elsie V. Zarate, Daisie L. Zarate, Marisa Z. Garcia (Martin)& Tessa Wallis (Jack). His grandchildren Jenishia K. Lopez, Salvador Zarate III, Deyaritzene A. Alaniz, Dante A. Alaniz, Desiree Flores, David Flores, Jacqueline Garcia and Paycee Velez.
A niece so dear to him, Yvette Z. Guzman (Yvettita).
Also surviving him are his siblings Rosa Elia Barrera (Cesario), Alfredo Zarate (Irene) and Nelda Cruz (Ignacio),
together with numerous nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.
Surviving him also include his mother in law Socorro G Cano, sisters and brother in laws from the Cano family.
Salvador was not only a loving husband, father and grandfather, he was a well rounded humbled man as well. Always finding a way to brighten your day through stories, jokes or just a piece of advice.
He dedicated most of his life to public service.
He was a 1971 Rio Grande City High School Alumni.
In 1973 he was hired as a jailer for a day at the Starr County Sheriff's Office before getting hired as County Sheriff's Deputy from 1973-1975.
He later attended the Police Academy.
In 1976, He married Estelle C. Zarate, where together they formed a family.
In 1981, he worked as an investigator with the D.A. in Starr County.
From 1981-1985, he was a criminal Government Legal Aide investigator out of Chicago, Illinois under Armando Cavada.
In 1986, Salvador took and passed the Uniform Secret Service examination and was ready in uniform. Unfortunately he was unable to fulfill his duties due to President Ronald Reagan's government hiring freeze.
From 1986-1990, He was needed as a supervisor and farm worker for StarCo. and a trucker for family business, Salvador Zarate Trucking.
In 1990 to 1991, he continued migrating and farming to Clovis, NM in melon picking and to Umatila, OR hauling potatoes.
From 1992- 1998 He continued local farming.
In 1998, Salvador ran for office as a Write-In candidate for Justice of the Peace Pct. 3, Place 9, Grulla area. He had initially lost the the election by one vote. He later took 125 votes to court to get accounted for, where he was then granted the corresponding Winner for the race, where history was made in politics.
Judge Salvador Zarate, Jr. "The People's Judge" a public servant as he was always referred to, served his community as Justice of the Peace for 20 years before retiring in 2018.
After retirement, he enjoyed quality time with his family.

The Zarate Family, we would like to express our most sincere gratitude for all your calls, texts, messages, visits and most importantly, for all your love and prayers. Mil Gracias.

With all sincerity, we would like to send special " Thanks" to RN Diane, and RT Ida, for the utmost care and the impact they left in our dad.

Zarate Family

La Grulla- Salvador Zarate Jr., 72, died Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at his residence in La Grulla, Texas. Funeral arrangements will be under the direction of Sanchez Funeral Home in Rio Grande City, TX