Angel G. Salinas

Angel Gonzales Salinas, 68, of Colby, died Monday, December 29, 2025. He was born and raised in Urireo, Guanajuato, Mexico. He was the son of Luz Salinas and Ofelia Gonzales and completed his primary education in his hometown through the sixth grade. He was part of a large family with six brothers and four sisters.

At the age of 16, Angel immigrated to the United States, where he worked in several states, including Texas, Nebraska, Illinois, and Kansas. He eventually settled permanently in Colby, Kansas, a place he came to consider home.

Angel married Sharmelle in 1980 in Clovis, New Mexico. At the time, she had three sons. Angel worked for Linden Construction Co. until 1996, when he started his own company, Spare Hand. He was proud of his life in the United States and became a U.S. Citizen on November 8, 1993. After obtaining his citizenship he played a key role in supporting his family as they worked to obtain their documents and begin their lives in the United States.

Angel always liked to stay busy. In 2000, Angel and Sharmelle ventured into the rental business by purchasing Spare Time, a small trailer park in Colby. He continued running his construction company while also purchasing rental properties. In 2012, they began managing Friendly Acres, working hard to make it a clean and safe place for all who lived there.

Angel made a lasting impact on his community through honest, hard work. He enjoyed mowing and spending time interacting with the children in the park and in his neighborhood. He always put his family before himself. He was an amazing grandpa who went out of his way to spend time with his grandchildren—through endless games, trips to get donuts, countless walks, adventures of all kinds, mandatory trips to Walmart to pick out a gift on every visit and even hiding money in their rooms on the day they left. His love was quiet but always apparent and never fading. His commitment to the Lord was also quiet but evident with how he loved and supported those around him.

Many years ago, he made a promise to his bride: “All I have are my hands, and with them I will provide a life for us.” Though he was taken too soon the legacy of his commitment to hard work and deep dedication to his family will live on through all those he knew and loved.

Preceded in death by his father Luz Salinas and brother Alfredo Salinas.

His is survived by his wife Sharmelle Salinas; mother Ofelia Gonzalez; brothers, Rogelio, Baltazar, German, Little Angel, and Augustin Salinas; sisters, Linda Salinas, Maria Luiza, Maria De Jesus, and Rita Salinas; stepchildren, Phillip Oesterreich, Timothy Oesterreich (Jennifer), and Samuel Oesterreich (Candra); and his grandchildren, Jordan, Riley, McKayla, Jacob, Vanessa, and William Oesterreich.

Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Friday, January 9, 2026, at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby. The Funeral Service will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the Berean Bible Fellowship, Colby, with burial in Beulah Cemetery, Colby. Memorials may be made to the Thomas County Community Foundation (to be put towards the Darren Miller Memorial Food for Kids Fund) and can be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com