Michael Anthony Saldaña

Michael Anthony Saldaña, 63, of Nederland, died, Friday, August 13, 2021, at Christus Southeast Texas – St. Elizabeth, Beaumont. He was born September 4, 1957, in Alexandria, Louisiana, to Juanita Lopez Saldaña and Louis Martin Saldaña.

Michael grew up in Nederland and graduated from Nederland High School in 1975. He joined Port Arthur Gulf Refinery in 1977 and continued at the refinery as an operator through numerous ownership and name changes. When the refinery later became Valero, he became a shift supervisor for the 843 Delayed Coking Unit/147 Atmospheric Vacuum Unit. Michael retired as a shift supervisor in 2017 after forty years of service.

In 1978, Michael married his high school sweetheart, Wendy, also known as “Nanny”. They were inseparable through nearly forty-three years of marriage. They shared a passion for all things cooking and were known for making chorizo and baking cookies to cooking the traditional Mexican dishes of mole and enchiladas, often served with Michael’s special recipe sangria wine. More recently, Michael became a beer aficionado, seeking out the region’s best craft beers. They were also avid animal lovers. They raised and adopted a menagerie of pet species from dogs, including Sheeba, Sally, Layla, and Bubby; birds, including Tweet, J, and K; and too many fish to count.

Michael was also an avid reader, game player, movie buff, and music lover. He became a Tolkien expert and enjoyed movies of all eras and genres from Star Wars; westerns, especially John Wayne films; and cinema classics like Ben Hur, The Ten Commandments, Godzilla, Planet of the Apes, Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein. Michael also had an affinity for classic television series like The Andy Griffith Show, The Beverly Hillbillies, and Star Trek. When it came to music, he loved all genres going back to the 8-track and vinyl era. Different artists represented the passing phases of his life. He loved Elton John, cranking up Yellow Brick Road on 8-track in a 1972 Subaru. Michael shared his musical tastes with his siblings and the successive generations, tying in life’s lessons through classics like the Eagles’ Tequila Sunrise, Jerry Jeff Walker’s Pissin’ in the Wind, or Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville. More recently, that tradition continued with his granddaughter, Katelin, every morning on the way to school through The Do Da Song by Toots and the Maytals and Cheeseburger in Paradise by Jimmy Buffett.

Throughout Michael and Wendy’s marriage they took care of numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. They were instrumental in laying the foundation for their success.

Michael was a devoted father and grandfather that tirelessly traveled across the region and country to attend dance recitals and events for his daughter, Amanda; dance, sports, and cheer events for his granddaughter, Katelin; and baseball games for his grandson, Jackson. He served as a key male role model for his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Wendy Ann Saldaña; daughter, Amanda Saldaña -Nichols, both of Nederland; grandchildren, Jackson and Katelin Nichols and Jasmine French; great-grandson, Jameson Nichols; siblings, Theresa Falcon and husband, Michael, of New Caney; Margarite R. Saldaña, of Houston; Martha Russell and husband, Billy, of Lufkin; Mark Saldaña and wife, Cindy, of Lufkin; Thomas Saldaña and wife, Chandra, of Houston; John Saldaña and partner, Marcel Vargas, of San Antonio; and Stephen Saldaña and fiancé, Jessie Mata, of Katy; brothers-in-law, Morris Montalvo and wife, Rene, of Groves and Fred Montalvo and wife, Jan, of Kansas; and sister-in-law, Lisa Bellow and husband, Danny, of Nederland.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Juanita and Louis Saldaña; and grandparents, Francisco and Basilia López and Antonio and Louisa Saldaña.

A gathering of Mr. Saldaña’s family and friends will be from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m., Saturday, September 4, 2021, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12^th Street, Nederland with his funeral service 10:00 a.m., at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 211 Hardy Avenue, Nederland. His interment will follow at Memory Gardens of Jefferson County. The family request for any attendees to please wear a mask.

Please observe social distancing guidelines. By attending any public event you are acknowledging the risk of exposure to the Corona Virus. Please follow the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov