Daniel Chavez Jr.

Daniel Chavez Jr., lovingly known as Honey, Dad, and Grandpa, passed away peacefully on August 19, 2025 at the age of 60 years old. Surrounded by family and loved ones, Daniel was called home, leaving behind a legacy that will be cherished forever.

Born on August 4th, 1965 in McAllen, Texas, to Ricarda Garcia and Daniel Chavez Sr., Daniel was raised by his mother and his grandparents. Growing up he had a lot of responsibilities-like helping take care of his little brother Emilio when he wasn't in school. From the early age of 13, he showed qualities of independence and leadership that guided him through life as he worked hard to support his family.

A boy who had to establish his own path into becoming a man, Daniel developed a work ethic and proud morals that would be a foundation he stood on later in life. He worked throughout his junior high and high school years as a groundskeeper and then inside as a Salesman at Winstead's Men's Shop from 1979 to 1983 in Corpus Christi. After attending and graduating Richard King High School, he went on to join the United States Army in 1983, where he served a committed and diligent career of 21 years.

His combat deployment in support of operation Desert Storm led him to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia. A soldier first, with a job specialty of 92G as a cook allowed him to become a leader of Dining Facilities in various locations justified his quality and standards amongst his peers. He also contributed his expertise in his deployments in South Korea, Egypt, and Turkey where the local population he worked with enriched Daniel's taste buds with foreign food. Domestically, duty stations included Fort Bliss, Fort Mcpherson, and Fort Hood. Daniel supported soldiers and their families, as a professional leader throughout his military career. Notable achievements include his Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (5th Award), Army Achievement Medal (6th Award), National Defense Award (2nd Award), Southwest Asia Service Ribbon with 3 Bronze Service Stars (BSS), NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 2, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (4th award), Kuwait Liberation Medal (K), and Kuwait Liberation Medal (SA). Beyond work, he found joy in collecting sports cards and coins from around the

world, relishing in ethnic foods, enjoying comedy and science-fiction movies, spending time with his wife and family and watching sports and world news religiously.

Daniel's life was filled with meaningful chapters. His first duty station after BCT was Fort Hood. It was then, on his 3-day pass, that he traveled home to visit. On one such occasion, he ran into Laura Anaya, whom he knew from childhood. After a 6 month courtship and news of his PCS to Greece, Daniel rushed home to propose and marry his true love. It didn't take long after arriving in Koropi, Greece that they were expecting their first child, Juanita. After a PCS to Fort Bliss, Tx their second child was born, Anna. Then after a PCS to Nurnberg Germany, where he was stationed at Feucht Army Airfield and Merril Barracks, Danny 111 came along. Eventually they landed at Fort Hood, Tx where Ricardo was born and Daniel retired from the Army. But above all, Daniel was defined by love-for family, friends, and community through his 15 years as a United States Postal Worker in the Greater Killeen Areas. He married his beautiful wife Laura Chavez on March 29,1985 (Civil) and February 14, 2013 (Catholic Church), and together they built a legacy of love. As a parent and grandparent, Daniel was a man who always finished whatever he started.

Those who knew Daniel best will remember him for his contagious laugh, punctuality, being outspoken with passion for the Dallas Cowboys, and empathetic understanding to others. He taught and performed by example, showing that life is best lived while being resilient to your principles and goals as a man, father. and leader.

Daniel is survived by wife Laura Chavez; children Juanita Chavez, Anna and Nick Morse, Daniel Chavez Ill, Ricardo Chavez; grandchildren Elijah, Eleyna, and Alexander; Brother Emilio and Laurel Garcia, his loving mother-in-law Juanita Anaya, siblings-in-law Robert Anaya, Patricia Gallegos, Sylvia Rangel (Joe), Hilda Rivera, Miguel Anaya Ill; along with numerous nieces and nephews and family members who cherish him.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Juan and Eloisa Garcia, Mom, Ricarda, and Father-in-Law, Miguel Anaya.

A Funeral Mass for Daniel will be 12:00pm Friday September 5, 2025 at St Joseph’s Catholic Church. Inurnment will follow at 2:00pm at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.

All who were touched by Daniel's life are welcome to attend and share in honoring his memory