Raul Chavez

Raul was born November 9, 1945 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Josephine Chavez. Raul was a very special person who always had a smile for everyone and most likely a sarcastic comment to follow. People who met him were drawn to his warmth and his fantastic spirit. He was never short on laughter. His smile brought smiles to his family.

He is survived by his wife Celia Schoonover to whom he was married for 31 years; his daughter Courtney Chavez who spent the last few years seeking out new bars and good beers to share with lots of laughter; his brother Frank Chavez who remembers an alarmingly large number of stories that ended with Raul saying “don’t tell mom” and always drew the comment “let’s not call Frank right now” after Frank’s Minnesota Vikings would lose; and a very special friend and nephew Cameron Tackett. Raul loved Cameron more than he ever thought possible. The two were partners in crime spending their days playing basketball, chess and soccer, swimming and reading. We would often find Raul and Cameron sitting together on the porch talking about life.

Raul is also survived by his father-in-law and mother-in-law Ronald and June Schoonover; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Cindy and Henry Barrientes, Robert and Evangeline Schoonover, Thomas Schoonover and Daniel Tackett; nieces and nephews Angela Tackett, Richard Tackett, Ronnie Carden, Stephen Larsen, Jonathan Barrientes, Aaron Schoonover, Ethan Schoonover, Deborah McDowell, Shane McDowell, Tyler Carden; and extended family in New Mexico. Raul is also preceded in death by his sister-in-law Marilyn Tackett.

Private services will be held for the family.