Jose Luis "J.L." Salinas

JOSE LUIS “J.L.” SALINAS

EDINBURG – Jose Luis “J.L.” Salinas, 75, passed away surrounded by his family Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at his residence in Edinburg. 

Known affectionately as “J.L.”, Jose Luis was a lifelong educator committed to the success of all students, teachers, and parents. Throughout his career, he dedicated himself to ensuring all children were afforded the opportunity to learn, teachers were afforded the opportunity to succeed, and parents were assured their children were safe and being prepared for a life of success. He began his career in education in 1973 after repeatedly being denied an opportunity, because, as he was told, “History teachers are a dime a dozen.” Determined to pursue a career in public service, he decided to continue to pursue a teaching profession over a career in law enforcement. He would become a teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent and culminate his career as the 16th Superintendent of the Edinburg CISD. Some of his proudest accomplishments were serving as the first principal of the Gifted & Talent (GT) program, the first teacher of the CAT Program, known now as the in-school suspension (ISS) program, and led the charge in bringing the free lunch program to all students in the Edinburg CISD. In his experience, he noted that “Children don’t come to school and worry about grades. They come to school worrying about where their next meal is coming from.” He changed that.

After a very humble childhood, including migrant farmwork, J.L.’s resiliency and determination led to him graduating high school (Edinburg – 1968) and Pan American College in 1973. He met Arminda Duarte, at the age of 12 in junior high. A few years later, in the summer of ‘65, the love story officially began (married in ’72) and would lead to him being a proud and loving father of three children and four grandchildren. He loved everyone with all his heart, including his nephews, nieces, and siblings.  

He is preceded in death by his parents, Gustavo and Emma Jean Salinas; two brothers, Gustavo Salinas Jr., and Rodrigo Salinas. 

Mr. Salinas is survived by his loving wife, Arminda D. Salinas; three children, Rebecca Jean Salinas, Jorge Luis (Yovann) Salinas; Sergio Luis (Gracie) Salinas; four grandchildren, Demi Jean Vega, Jorge Brian Salinas, Kristen Nicole Salinas, Justin Luis Salinas; eight siblings, Ma. Ester Regalado, Emma Jean Canales, Maria Enedina Salinas, Hector Salinas, Casimiro Salinas, Efrain Salinas, Apolonio Salinas, and Teofilo Salinas. 

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. with a 6 p.m. rosary Friday, October 11, 2024, at Memorial Funeral Home, 208 E. Canton in Edinburg. Funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Cremation will take place at Memorial Cremation Center in Edinburg. 

Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.