Salvador Sosa was born on February 21, 1934, in Wright, Kansas to Salvador and Juana de la Rosa Sosa. His parents were brave, hardy, and hardworking immigrants from Zacatecas, Mexico. They were among the first such residents– cultural pioneers– of southwest Kansas. His parents were initially migrant workers, harvesting fruit in South Texas. His mother was then a homemaker and his father eventually became a foreman for the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad, laying and repairing tracks all the way up to the Oklahoma panhandle and western Kansas.
Salvador or “Sal” attended public schools in Johnson, Kansas. He was a standout athlete, had a beautiful singing voice, and was voted Valentine King of Johnson High School. He graduated in 1951 and went to work as a laborer for Santa Fe Railroad. Over the next six years, he rose to foreman.
Following the death of his mother in 1957, Sal enlisted in the United States Army, serving at Ft. Riley, KS and at successive locations in Germany. He was a combat engineer in the famed Big Red One, 1st Infantry Division. His patience and eye for detail served him well when clearing landmines. He was honorably discharged in 1959.
After military service, Sal returned to work for the railroad. He married Sandra McGillivray of Ulysses at First Baptist Church in Liberal on June 15, 1962.
In 1964, he began a twenty-seven year career as a maintenance engineer at Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Co. From 1991 until just before his death, Sal spent every spare moment behind a manual lawnmower. He was self-employed in that capacity for many years, operating as the proprietor of Mo’ Better Lawn Services.
Sal was born into the Roman Catholic faith. He respected that tradition, but later embraced Protestant expressions of Christian belief. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Liberal before settling into more than forty years as a faithful member of Faith Tabernacle.
Sal was a kind, thoughtful, and generous person who preferred to serve others behind the scenes. For over ten years, he and Sandy were foster parents. They offered stability, encouragement, and hope for dozens of children and adolescents navigating the foster system. He also volunteered as a classroom assistant and tutor in the Liberal school system.
Sal was a lifelong sports fan. He loved cheering the teams of Liberal High School and Seward County Community College, and took special pride in supporting women athletes. In the mid 1970s, he and Sandy provided room and board to Liberal Bee Jay star K.T. Landreaux, who went on to a Major League career with the California Angels, Minnesota Twins, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Besides sports, Sal loved stylish menswear, fine colognes, and shiny new cars. He enjoyed a variety of music, from opera and mariachi to country and Southern Gospel. He had a dry, occasionally wicked sense of humor and a gift for one-liners.
A loving husband and devoted caregiver, Sal was married to Sandy for sixty-four years before her death in April, 2026. He was also an exemplary son, stepfather, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.
Following a brief illness, Sal died at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, KS on October 29, 2026. He was predeceased by his parents; brothers John and Robert; sisters Margaret, Elvira, and Josephine; and his wife, Sandra.
He is survived by a sister, Molly Herrin of Louisville, Kentucky; step-son Cameron Randle of Garden City; step-granddaughter Angelica Garcia of Los Angeles; brothers-in-law Randall Skiff , Scott McGillivray, Ken Proctor, and Garvin Thorp, along with sisters-in-law Renee Skiff, Shelly McGillivray, Becky Proctor, and Nancy McGillivray. Sal has a vast network of nieces and nephews, including Guadalupe “Wally” Limon of Liberal.
A graveside service to celebrate Sal’s life will be held at Restlawn Cemetery on Saturday, November 14 at 11 AM with The Rev. Canon Cameron Randle officiating.
Memorial gifts may be given to Faith Tabernacle in Liberal or St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Garden City in care of the Hornung Family Funeral Home, 1212 W. 2nd Street, Liberal, Kansas.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hornungfuneralhome.com
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