Franco John Salazar (Siks-A-Num Tsiki ~ Blackfeet Man’s Grandson) came into the world on December 31, 1982, to Arden “Rikki” (Reagan) Salazar and John Salazar. He was the first-born grandson to Marlene Wetzel, Rick Reagan, Ramona (Pantoja) and Ray Chavez; great grandson to Doris (Barlow) and Walter “Blackie” (Siks-A-Num) Wetzel and Nedra (Galbreath) Reagan. Franco’s name was in consideration of his Grandpa Frank Salazar, and the morning NFL headline of “Franco Harris” swayed the decision.

At a month old, Franco’s Aunt Susan came to help the family move to Windsor Park near his Grandma Moe and Grandpa Ray. When Susan held him, she had the biggest smile and could not believe this lovable baby boy was her nephew. The following month, Susan passed away. During this hard, sad time, Franco became the light of our entire family and brought so much love, pride, and happiness.

Fifteen months later, Franco didn’t look happy towards his Mom when his brother, Nathaniel, joined him. If he could talk, “You didn’t come home last night and who’s this?” He gave Nathaniel a month or so before he was rolling him around on the floor. They became inseparable little buddies and the best wrestling partners for each other. The brothers were never bored; they always had each other and created their own adventures. There were also several cousins born in this span that were together frequently – Sims, Gutierrez, Staudinger, Gonzales, the Billings Wetzels.

Five years later, our family became complete when the perfect little doll, their baby sister, Tenille, was born. As rowdy as the boys were, they knew their sister was precious. They would argue over who was going to hold her and had to be especially careful ~ “Don’t make her cry!” As they got older, the brothers loved to terrorize Tenille from throwing live snakes at her, to surprising her by setting up her dolls with butter knives in hand to scare her because they knew her fear of Chucky. Although they teased her a lot, they protected her and taught her to fight to protect herself. She then became the overprotective sister who intimidated their girlfriends.

The kids were always wrestling on the living room floor and watched WWE with their Dad; they had a huge collection of wrestlers and the rings. Their wrestling took on structure when they joined Rocky Mountain Wrestling Club with coaches George and Todd Reichenbach. In his first matches, Franco pinned all his opponents and was surprised when his pins were on a 1 count instead of 3 like WWE. The boys continued in wrestling from age 5 through high school with Tenille as their #1 cheerleader (since coaches didn’t allow lil girls to wrestle at that time.)

Anything and everything Franco found become a pet – beetles, spiders, ticks, snakes, frogs, lizards, geckos, turtles, scorpions, chameleons. He always had jars of insects along the sills and would read up on all of them. He was called the Bug Man because of his interest and knowledge of all species. Other pets he fostered/raised were rabbits, quails, ducks, chickens, and at least a dozen different dogs.

Franco and his Grandma Moe shared a remarkably close bond throughout her life. Franco was born the day before his Grandma Moe so they enjoyed celebrating their birthdays togethers. He spent a lot of time helping her with her yard and household chores; she would reward him with her notorious Mexican food, and they would set at her table for hours talking. Even after Franco moved from Billings, he always made sure to call and check on her.

Trips were frequented to Helena to visit his Grandma Marlene, Grandma Doris and Grandpa Blackie. We usually went to Aunt Penny’s where the whole Helena crew would join. His Gram Mars enjoyed watching her grandsons wrestle and especially looked forward to the action at the Butte Mining City Duals. Franco loved listening to his great-grandpa Blackie talk of past experiences, sports and current events, he was up on everything. It’s unsure if Franco became a Washington Redskins fan as a result, or if that obsession developed when he grew older. Washington games were the highlights of Franco’s week.

Family tradition was to spend Thanksgiving with Grandma Nedra and family in Washington. One of the last memories was when the boys got into the “candy” that tasted yucky. Years after Grandma passed, Aunt Rosemary and Aunt Peeps pulled together a fun packed reunion with lasting memories for everyone.

While growing up, Franco would spend the summers with his Grandpa Rick and Gram Myna at Browning where he learned to ride horses, rope calves, brand, fence, etc. He usually got stuck pushing calves up the chute at the ropings, but he was a hard worker. There was always something to do and lots of cousins around – the Seville Wetzels, McDonalds, Burns, Monroes… and more dogs. One time he begged his Mom for $2. He ran into IGA and came out with a pack of bologna to feed the rez dogs.

Franco attended schools in Billings and graduated from Skyview High School in 2001. He was a three-time State placer in wrestling with Nathaniel by his side. The Falcons were toughest when their line-up was stacked with brothers; winning back-to-back State Championships in 2001 and 2002. Franco briefly attended Northwest College in Powell, WY and then transferred to University of Montana. In 2008, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Environmental Studies with a Minor in Communications. What a celebration that was ~ the whole tribe showed up! Reagans, Petes, Rhoades and Hinsons joined from Washington to make this celebration extra special.

Franco was most passionate about his work at the Clark Fork Market where he hustled as the Market Manager for 15 or so years. He appreciated the labor of the local organic farmers, ranchers and vendors, their produce and products. The market has grown to be the best in Montana and Franco sure gave it his all. He also worked at the Missoula Valley Winter Market, Good Food Market, Lifeline Produce and other hard-working jobs. At the time of his passing, Franco worked at Orange Street Market and Monk’s Bar.

Family visits to Missoula centered around the markets with the food, unique finds, music and artists. After cleanup, it was the dogs’ outings on the various trails and then floating the Clark Fork, camping, fishing, exploring the Valley surroundings, checking out the night’s entertainment, karaoke and dancing. After his nephew Che was born, the Carousel and Dragon’s Hollow became favorite spots too. It was during this time that Franco gained another brother, Che’s dad, Zach Jones. Zach and Franco shared a love for wrestling and shared music back and forth with each other. Franco appreciated the help Zach provided to the family in his absence.

Franco’s other Mothers included his aunts Rosemary Reagan, Mitzi (Salazar) Reichenbach, Barbie (Reagan) Powell, Anita and Tammy Reagan; great-great aunt Arlene Barlow, great aunts Juanita Gutierrez, Terry Salazar, Penny White, Galen “Peeps” Rhoades, Grace, Linda, Sher and Christine Wetzel, Ann Egan, Billie Jo (Devereaux) Maddox and aunties Zana, Sheila (Rutherford), Deana and Jennifer McDonald, Mona Augare, Donna Sims, Alda Bighorn, Loretta Stewart, Angie Gonzales, Florence Garcia, Mischa Welch, Lisa Gutierrez, and all of his IHS Finance mommas. Franco was proud to share footsteps with his uncles – Reid Reagan, Dick Powell, Tim McDonald; great-great uncle Earl Barlow, great uncles Refugio Gutierrez, Butch Salazar, Manuel White, Don Rhoades, Bill (Petesy), Walt, Donny, Mike and Lance Wetzel and “uncles” Dick Diebert, Shane Forney, Joe and Roy Reyna, Nick Garcia, Melvin Small, Rick, Felix and Phillip Gutierrez. He was “Big Brother” to Damien and Deidre Reichenbach, Taylor and Ashley Louis, Ivy and Olive Pete, Robert Reagan and Jada LaTray; “Uncle” to Elyjah, Naiyah, Damien Jr., Hudson, Baylee and Brooklyn.

Franco passed on May 5, 2026, with his dogs, Sid and Chico, by his side. His boys have quickly attached to their uncle Nathaniel. Franco lived in Missoula for the past 23 years and his family was looking forward to his return to Billings to share their lives. Franco’s destination was bigger than Billings. He won’t miss out on anything anymore; he will always be with us.

Franco and Nathaniel shared everything; they were alike in every way.  They remained each other's best buddies and knew they could count on each other for everything and anything. They had talked about getting a place together, growing their own food, creating hot sauces and making tamales. They shared ideas, beliefs, dreams; a way of life and a way of afterlife. Franco is in a place where time does not exist. When we see each other, it will be like we never left. We are always together at every moment, with every thought and in every universe. Through his passing, he has connected us with so many people and close friends that are now part of our family. The support of their love, prayers and compassionate actions is heartfelt and beyond measure. Much peace, love, unity and respect for everyone.

On Sunday, June 7, from 11:00 – 5:00, a celebration for Franco will be held at Caras Park in Missoula, Montana. A more formal memorial service will be held in Billings at a later date.

The Salazar family would like to extend a special thank you to Franco’s long-time friend Aaron Cisneros for keeping Sid and Chico safe until we were able to bring them home to Billings. Thank you to Orange Street Market manager, DJ, and Franco’s dairy coworker, Just John, for the warm welcome as our first contacts when we returned to Missoula; we felt the loss and the love. Our biggest thank you goes out to Shawna Lee who was more than just Franco’s boss at Monk’s, she was someone who genuinely cared and loved Franco and has been here for us throughout everything. She has shown us so much kindness and love and helped us in ways we could not imagine.

This has not been easy, and we apologize if we have overlooked good people in Franco’s life. We have been deeply moved by the outpouring of love and support from all who became his family in Missoula.