Mariano Alfaro Chavez

Mariano passed peacefully in the late afternoon of November 10th, 2014 He was born in Rosebud, Texas and raised on the north side of Houston where he attended Central High School. At the age of 21 in 1953 he enlisted in the United States Army and then later went on to serve as a US Marine, achieving the rank of Sgt. While on leave he met and then would later marry, the love of his life, Erlinda Figueroa. He served his country proudly through the Korean conflict until his honorable discharge in 1963. Mariano and Erlinda built a home full of love for their seven children. He worked as a machinist and plumber. He received a degree in Tool and Die making and was a natural artist, whose chalk and charcoal sketches fill books. He had a habit of giving everyone a nickname and along with his sense of humor, love of the outdoors, cooking and Barbeque, his strength and pride remained his wife of 50 years, and the loving family he took such pride in. An honest, humble and simple servant will forever be loved and remembered.

Marianio is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Mario F. Chavez and Esther Espinosa of Houston; grandson and wife, Philip Chavez and Michelle Vega of Pearland and their children, Gabriel, Aiden, and Lincoln Chavez; grandson and wife, Nicholas F. Chavez and Caitlyn Raspberry of Houston, and their children Christian, Zoey, and Jazlyn Chavez; granddaughter, Carlotta M. Chavez Saracay and husband Julio of Houston and their children, Nicole and Julian Saracay; son, James S. Chavez of Houston; son, Christopher W. Chavez and wife Yolanda of Houston and their children, Christopher, Mitchell and Brian Chavez; son, Michael A. Chavez and wife Cindy of Spring; grandson, Michael A. Chavez and wife Autumn of Magnolia and their children, Jordan and Jayden Chavez; grandson, Marcus Chavez of Houston; granddaughter, Christina F. Chavez Loftin and husband Asa of Cypress and their children, Troy and Tessa Loftin; daughter, Sandra L. Chavez Ramirez and husband Gilbert of Houston and their children, Thomas, Marc, and Omar Ramirez; daughter, Barbara A. Chavez Pilato and husband Mike of Houston and their children, Alexis and Tristan Pilato; granddaughter, Erica Chavez Nunez and husband Manuel and their children, Ethan and Ava Nunez; son, Robert L. Chavez and wife Diane of Houston and their children, Matthew, Luke, and Stephen Chavez.

Visitation will be held in the chapel of Heights Funeral Home, 1317 Heights Boulevard on Monday, November 17, from 5-8 pm with Rosary at 7pm. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 18, at 10:30 am at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 3600 Brinkman, Houston, with interment to follow at Houston National Cemetery complete with Military Honors.