Salvador "Sal" Anaya

Salvador “Sal” Anaya, 75, of Carlsbad, NM, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 8, 2026. Visitation will be Friday, October 16, 2026, from 5:00pm - 7:00pm, at Denton-Wood Funeral Home followed by a vigil at 6:00pm. Funeral services are schedules for 10:00 AM, Saturday, October 17, 2026 at Oasis Church with Pastor John Burke and Ryan Deporto officiating. Interment will follow in Loving Cemetery, Loving NM. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Sal was born in Loving, New Mexico, on August 1, 1951, to Manuel and Antonia Anaya. He was a faithful man to God’s word, and his deep faith guided how he lived his life and treated others. Before opening his shop, Sal began his career as a brick mason, a craft where he loved adding his own unique, artistic touch to every single job. He then went on to pour his heart into the community for more than 40 years as the owner and operator of The Jeweler’s Bench on Canyon Street. His shop was a true reflection of his character—welcoming, warm, and generous. He never met a stranger, and those who walked through his door as customers quickly became cherished family and friends. After he closed the doors to his shop, he deeply enjoyed keeping in touch with his longtime friends through long phone conversations and going on lunch dates. His kind, caring spirit left an indelible mark on the town he loved.

He was preceded in death by his former wife, Carman Anaya, and his sisters, Inez Navarette, Lorenza Duran, Manuela Franco, Geneva Rodriguez, and Juanita Carnero.

Sal’s memory will be cherished by his wife of 31 years, Yolanda Anaya; his children, Ralph (Misty) Anaya, Salvador Jr. (Gina) Anaya, Jonny Joe Munoz, Stephanie (Michael) Rodriguez, and Antoinette Munoz (Eric Florez); his 11 grandchildren, Ryan, Kristopher, Kari, Karsyn, Austin, Gavyn, Gaje, Alexis, Kimberley, Tristen, and Ezykiel; 10 great-grandchildren; his siblings, Manuel Jr., Alvaro “Bobby”, Mario, Edward, and Oralia Anaya; and a host of extended family and longtime friends.

Pallbearers will be Dr. William McCawley, Salvador Anaya, Jr., Ryan Anaya, Jim Moyer, Terry Baker, Terry Orozco, Johnny Joe Munoz and Kristopher Anaya.