Joe Manuel Chavez

Joe Manuel Chavez, 66 passed away on March 24,2007, at his home in Conchas, New Mexico. Born on July 20, 1940, in Cuervo, New Mexico, and known as Mel or Manuel by his family and friends, he is preceded in death by his father and mother, Samuel Maestes Chavez and Rosario Quiteria Quintana Chavez; his grandparents Manuel and Marianita Maestes Chavez along with Manuel and Quiteria Perea Quintana, all of Cuervo; and brothers Anthony, Samuel Pat, and Michael Frank Chavez. He leaves behind his sons Krik C. and wife Camille Chavez of Tucumcari, NM, children Carly Chavez of Albuquerque, Aaron Decker of Phoenix, AZ; Joe M. II and wife Marisol Chavez, and daughters Julia Melanie and Jessica Magdalina of League City, TX,; and Jamie P. Chavez, wife Suzanne, of Austin, TX. Mel was brought up in the Santo Nino Catholic Church in Cuervo and is a member of St. Rose de Lima Church in Santa Rosa. He graduated from Santa Rosa High School in 1959 where he participated on the football and boxing team. Throughout his life, he always maintained contact with his family and friends. The third oldest of nine children, Mel is survived by: Nora Lucille Chavez Pagone, Albert Ray Chavez, Lijio Romolo Chavez, and Philip Joseph Chavez all of Albuquerque; Evelyn Jean Chavez McCloud of Chicago, IL; He also leaves his beloved aunts and uncle Carmen (Mrs. Procopio Quintana) Chavez; Lola (Mrs. Chris) Quintana, Benny and Cruzita Chavez, Malita Lucero, and Margaret “Maggie” Quintana, Mel’s second cousin. Among his nieces and nephews are Sarah Rose Guthrie and Samuel Clayton Chavez (Pat and Dorothy’s children); Sylvia Chavez Garcia and Andrea (Albert and ex-Dorothy’s children); Rosalie Gomez Baca, Dwayne Gomez, Janelle Gomez Bueoeme, David Gomez (Evelyn Jean and ex-Wilfred Gomez’s children and Richard McCloud’s children Richard, Jr., Steve, Scott, and Shari); Melissa and Christopher Chavez (Leroy and Sandy’s children); Antonette Chavez (Tony’s daughter); Monica and Michael Chavez, Jr (Michael and Gloria’s children); and Ericachea and Philip Jr.(Philip and Ingrid’s children). Joe Manuel is also remembered by his ex-wife and continued friend of 36 years Phyllis C. Chavez of Las Cruces, NM. Mel was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, a Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, a Thirty-second Degree Mason, and a Shriner. He served first in the U. S. Army along with making a career in the U. S. Air Force. He flew missions in South East Asia and South America. In Germany, he served as Superintendent of Schools for the dependents of the U. S. Air Force personnel stationed in Europe. While stationed at Alamogordo, he was commissioner of the Babe Ruth Baseball League. He retired as Senior Master Sergeant after 26 years of service along with ll years from the U. S. Postal Service. Rosary services will be held on Wednesday, March 28, at 7:00 PM from St. Rose of Lima Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, March 29, at 10:00 AM also from St. Rose Church with Father Nick Nichols officiating. Burial will follow at the Cuervo Cemetery with full Military Honors provided by the Cannon Air Force Honor Guard. The pallbearers will be Samuel Clayton Chavez, David Gomez, Chris Chavez, Richard Chavez, Michael Chavez, Philip Chavez and Lucas Sena. All services are entrusted to the Chavez Funeral Home of Santa Rosa. www.chavezfuneralhome.com