Rafael Chavez

Ralph is survived by (1) his children: Dora Pate (adopted), his oldest daughter, Kindrea M. Chavez and her kids: Patience Nicole, Chance Matthew, and Payten M. Chavez; his son, Kyle J. Chavez, his youngest daughter, Kindsey M. Chavez and her kids: Kenden M. Chavez and Aiden J. Beau, and Dora Pate; (2) his siblings: Antonio “Tony” Chavez and his 4 kids: Tony, Jr., Veronica, Brenda, and Esly; Carmen G. Martinez and her 5 kids: Analia, Joseph, Carol, Gracie, and Carmen; Luz M. Pena and her 4 kids: Alvar, Hari, Minerva and Anael; and Jose “Joe” L. Gamez, his wife Maricela Gamez and their 4 kids: Iris, Esmeralda, Perla and Diana; and his maternal aunts and uncles: Enrique Chavez and 7 kids, Manuel & Irene Chavez and their 7 kids, Malena Chavez, Jesus & Gloria Chavez and their 4 kids, Alvaro & Yolanda Chavez and their 8 kids, Gil & Graciela Chavez and their 6 kids, Maria & Fidel Aguilar and their 4 kids, Guadalupe “Lupe” & Miguel A. Trejo and their 4 kids. Ralph is preceded in death by his mother Reynalda Chavez, his brother Dr. Manuel Gamez, and his grandson Kaden Matthew.

Ralph was born on January 13, 1951 and earned an Associate’s Degree at Texas Southmost College “TSC” in Brownsville, Texas. During his time at TSC he was a basketball player and worked for the TSC Parks & Recreation Dept. After earning his Associate’s Degree, he went on to work at the Burlington Railroad as a union worker in Beardstown, Illinois. He later worked in A/C repair and lastly as a truck driver after obtaining his CDL. Ralph moved to Los Lunas, New Mexico to be near his brothers Tony Chavez and Dr. Manuel Gamez as he traveled across the nation as a truck driver. In his later years, he moved to Houston, Texas near his sister Carmen Martinez as more centralized location that would allow him easy access to be near the majority of his family.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 11, 2016 from 1pm to 9pm at Funeraria Del Angel Buena Vista.

Chapel service will be on Monday, September 12, 2016 at 11am at Funeraria Del Angel Buena Vista, followed by committal service at Buena Vista Burial Park..

You may view the obituary of Rafel Chavez at www.MeM.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Funeraria Del Angel Buena Vista cemeteries (956) 541-5400. Dignity Memorial Provider.