Celso Ricardo Chavez

Celso Ricardo Chavez, beloved son, grandson, father, and brother, nephew, and cousin, was born in El Paso, Texas on March 22, 1968 and went to the Lord on May 9, 2012 due to complications of pneumonia. Throughout his life, Celso shared happiness and joy with his family and friends. He was fun to be around, and his smile was infectious. Above all else in his life, he loved his son Vincent. His most precious moments on earth were spent with him: reading, playing chess, playing the xbox, and when in El Paso, going for walks in Sunset Heights. Celso was always amazed at his son’s skill and ability, especially when he routinely beat him at chess and on the xbox and when they had genuinely thoughtful conversations. He was so very proud of Vincent, and knew that his son was his special gift from God.

Celso grew up with his brother Carlos who is almost 4 years younger. They were very different, although they shared a love for guitars, drums, and rock n roll. They had each other as they were growing up, through thick and thin, and as most brothers, they looked out for each other---often covering up each other’s mistakes, or telling on each other about who ate all the cookies and who made a mess in the kitchen. Celso loved sweets, and even Vincent had to hide them from him!

Celso attended Dixie Canyon Elementary School, Millikan Middle School, Notre Dame High School,Valley College and UCLA, where he studied Anthropology. When he finished high school, he traveled Europe alone for two months, fueling a life long interest in the study of history and the mystery of life. As a musician, he enjoyed shaping melodies into songs, writing verses that were clever, spoke nonsense at times, or spoke about life and its painful challenges.

Celso searched for God and for someplace on earth where he felt he truly belonged, preferably a place steeped in mystery and encased with dramatic history. He searched for that place through his music, through his love of family and through his friends. Perhaps that’s why he loved Edgar Allan Poe...his grave, his writings, his loves, his warnings about life and death. Perhaps that’s why the Book of Psalms had such meaning for him.

We will always love Celso for exemplifying the zest for life and the courage to live an artist life to the very end. Through his pain and his joy, he touched our hearts and went to the Lord. We will never forget him, and we are grateful for his 44 years on earth.

Rest in Eternal Peace dearest Celso, and look over Vincent and his Mom Veronica, your Mom, Yosh, your Dad, your brother Carlos, Kelly, and little Kellen, your brothers Geoff, Shawn, your sisters, Leah, Megan, your Granny Hortensia, your Grandpa Carlos, all your aunts, uncles, cousins, and the many friends who cared for you and loved you. We will catch up with you when the Lord invites us home, and know you will have great music for us when we meet again.

No, I ain't gonna fight it, His Spirit is taking me there

I cannot doubt, that love is in the air

Surrender my will to the One who's calling my name

They tell me once your heart's there

You'll never be the same

I hear music and laughter just outside of my door

This time it's just a little louder than before

I hear Jesus making promises that I must now claim

They tell me once your heart's there

You'll never be the same

Oh, peace has got it's grip on me, it's drawing me on

I know that in a moment I'll be long gone

I'm feeling warm within, it's like being born again

Take me Lord

Take me Lord

With my mind on hope, my heart, my soul and faith

I take the step that time cannot erase

Stepping into the sunshine out of the falling rain

They tell me once your heart's there

You'll never be the same

Surrender my will to the One who's calling my name

They tell me once your heart's there

I've found that once your heart's there

You'll never be the same

Song by Daniel Amos

Celso was learning this song in the last few days of his life.

His uncle Juan Casillas had introduced it to him in January 2012.