Rogelio Saldana

Rogelio “Roy” Saldana passed away on July 2, 2025 at 91 years old. He was born in Brownsville,Texas on October 8, 1933. One of five children, he left home when he joined the military. He honorably served in the army as a Private First Class from 1952-1955.

After being discharged, he moved to El Paso, Texas where he met the love of his life, Esther Martinez. They married on July 2, 1955 and raised five sons.

Ready to embark on a new life out west, Roy moved his family to Sacramento, California in 1965. He worked for Sacramento City Unified School District for twenty-two years as an Assistant Foreman of Labor Gardeners. After retiring, Roy enjoyed playing keno and the slot machines in Reno and later here in Sacramento. He also loved dining on traditional Mexican dishes from Esperanza’s, listening to mariachi music, and cheering on his favorite teams, the Dallas Cowboys and the Sacramento Kings.

Roy is preceded in death by his wife, Esther, of fifty years and his brothers: Julian “Beto” Saldana of El Paso, TX and Ricardo “Kayo”Saldana of Midland, TX.

He is survived by his sisters: Maria Longoria of Lexington, NE and Mary Aumiller of Grand Island,NE, his sons, Roy Saldana, Jr. (Heidi) of Elk Grove, CA, Jose Martinez of Las Vegas, NV., Manuel Saldana (Janet) of Sacramento, CA, Hector Rivera (Veronda) of Rocklin, CA, and Xavier Rivera (Ann) of Elk Grove, CA, his grandchildren: Angelo (Alicia), Mikey (Myrna), Priscilla (Sai), Isamu (Cam), Becky, Ryan (Vanessa), Nikki, Tyson (Lauren), Ashley (Dan), Nick, and Lizzie, and thirteen great-grandchildren.

For those who would like to attend, a viewing will be held at East Lawn Mortuary in Elk Grove, CA on Monday, July 14 from 5:00-8:00 P.M. The funeral will take place at St. Rose Catholic Church in Sacramento, CA on Tuesday, July 15 at 10:00 A.M. with burial afterward at East Lawn Mortuary. Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, one of the charities Roy had supported for many years.

Roy will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. When friends and relatives came to visit him through the years and they asked him how he was doing, he usually responded by saying, “I’m still here.” He was right, he will continue to be “here” in our memories and in our hearts forever.