USN LCDR (Ret.) Davey W. Chavarria

In Loving Memory of USN LCDR (Ret.) Davey Walter Chavarria, age 61, passed away on May 21, 2020 at his home in Colbert, WA. Davey was born in San Francisco, California, the son of Enrique R. Chavarria and P. Alicia Aparicio Chavarria, residents of SF.

He is survived by his sister Janet Baucom, his older brother Henry (and Rosa) Chavarria, his younger brother Elston, his sister-in-law Kathie & his niece Marley, and his brother-in-law Don Thiery. Davey was preceded in death by his parents, and his younger brother Alex. He had no children.

He was born and raised in the heart of San Francisco. He attended Edison Elementary School, Horace Mann Jr. High School, Mission High School, and graduated from Lowell High School ‘Class of 1976.

After graduating from Lowell High School, at only 17, Davey joined the U.S. Marines, went to Camp Pendleton, San Diego CA for Boot Camp. At this time, he was given the nickname of “Chevy” for a couple of reasons 1) He loved Chevy classics and 2) It was easier to pronounce than Chavarria. Twelve years later, in 1988 he joined the U.S. Navy through an Inter-Service transfer and attended the Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island.

“Chevy” had 29 years military experience with both the USMC (12yrs) and the USN (17yrs), served in 4 states and operated in 25 countries in various capacities. He was responsible for the operation of 3 Commands and 30 naval units. Some of his job titles included Commanding Officer, Surface Warfare Officer, Operational Officer, Training Officer, Engineering Officer, Weapons Officer, Executive Officer, and Liaison Officer. He also served on three USN ships: USS SCHENECTADY LST (1185), USS PENSACOLA (LSD-38), and USS PONCE (LPD-15).

In addition to his Administrative Abilities, he had extensive Mechanical experience, maintained and repaired Aircraft Systems, Radar Systems, Communications System, Combat Weapons System, Electro-hydraulic Systems, as well as Navy warship small boats and Amphibious land craft, among many other duties.

Davey was awarded various Metals, Pins, Badges and Ribbons for his service in various capacities such as Surface Warfare Officer Badge, Humanitarian Service Metal, and Kuwait Liberation Medal, just to name a few. After many years of military service, USN Commanding Officer Lt. Commander Davey W. Chavarria "Chevy" retired Dec. 2005 from his last assignment at Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center in Tucson, AZ.

In 2006, after his military retirement, he moved to Spokane, WA, where his mother and sister resided, to begin a new life as a civilian. Soon after, he joined the Church of Latter Day Saints, and became a very well respected and active member of the church community. He continued to pursue new opportunities that would enrich his life, giving 100% + of himself to each endeavor. He always centered himself around having a job and excelling. His work ethic never waned throughout the years, not even when he retired from the military. At the time of his death, he was an employee of Signature Flight Support at Spokane Airport.

Davey was a lifelong San Francisco GIANTS Fan. It was a family-affair having grown up with baseball. When the SF GIANTS won the 2010, 2012, and 2014 World Series, it was an item that we all scratched off our Bucket List as we reveled in the excitement, adrenaline rush, and joy we all felt. No one ever thought that we’d see them win the World Series Championship during our lifetime … but we did … Davey did!

He was a person of many talents and his interests were varied. A few of his innumerable hobbies included:

- Purchasing and restoring old classic cars/trucks

- Model trains: At one time, he had a model train room which he tinkered with for years.

- Music: Enjoyed ALL genres of music but his soul embraced Classical.

- Calligraphy: He was always using Classic literature Poems to practice this art.

- Artist/Sketching/Drawing

- Avid Reader of Classic Literature, Poetry, History, Biographies, Science …

- Business Entrepreneur: ACN, Big Bore Hunters Co. (unique furniture pieces) …

- Physical Fitness – Weight-lifting since he was a young teenager, jogging. bicycling …

- World Traveler and Adventurer: One of his most recent trips was the 2005 South

Africa Safari Trip

He was a member and volunteer for SCI Spokane, lifetime memberships with the Disabled American Veterans, Veteran of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and American Legion, and NRA.

Davey was the epitome of elegance and good taste. The world was his oyster and he was the pearl. He truly was an Officer and a Gentleman. He will be missed but never forgotten.

“Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things, distinguishes the strong soul from the weak”

-- Thomas Carlyle (1826 – 1866)

A memorial service will be planned for friends and family, followed by military honors at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery at a later date. Please check back here for details.