Victor Joseph Chavez

Victor Joseph Chavez lost his very brief but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer on August 28, 2013. He was born to Camilla and Frederic Chavez in San Diego on September 23, 1941. Victor is survived by his wife, Diane, of 51 years.

Victor was a machinist by trade, and got his start at La Mesa Tool in California when he was mentored by good friend Gene Simmons. He continued his career in San Diego at Chem-Tronics, the San Diego Zoo and finally PSA Airlines. He and his wife moved to Charlotte when US Airways acquired PSA and the San Diego facilities were closed. Victor continued his successful career at USAirways until his recent illness.

Victor was very concerned with the depletion of energy resources in our country. He was the first and only house in his area to be fitted with solar panels. He also was a big fan of Elon Musk, business magnate and co-founder of Tesla Motors, and was able to achieve his dream of owning one of the first 1,000 Tesla Model S Signature Performance limited edition sedans produced in the United States.

Victor is also survived by his daughter Victoria Gail and her husband Larry; son Steven Chavez and his wife Marcella; grandchildren Trevor, Brandon, Amber, Morgan, Romello, Alee and Jeanetta; sisters Lydia Dyches, Corinne Burgess and Natalie Coss; and brother Fred Chavez; and numerous loving nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his daughter Sherlene, brothers Raymond and Albert, nephews Tony and Ernie, and his parents.

Visitation and viewing are scheduled to be held at McEwen Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210 on Sunday, September 1 from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Hospice and Palliative Care, Charlotte Region, 1420 East 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28204, www.donatehospice.org. The family would like to thank Victor’s hospice nurse, Michelle, for her extraordinary emotional and medical support and care during this very difficult time.