He is survived by his children: Grant, Phyllis, Rita; grandchildren Richard Jurgens, Melissa Gallego, Nicholas Chavez, Leonard Chacon, Chris Chacon, Aaron Chavez, Haley Overlund-Chavez; Great grandchildren Sarah & Isaiah, Tristan, Aiden, Avery Chavez, Lenissa, Lorenzo, Laila, Lijah Aragon. He is preceded in death by his parents, Seferino and Bernarda; brothers Lee, John, Bill, and James; sister Mary; his ex-wife Irene and oldest daughter Ruthann. He was the third oldest of his siblings and the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Joe had strong ties to Albuquerque, New Mexico because both of his parents were born there. Throughout his life he would travel there often and visit distant family members. The last time he attempted to visit New Mexico, a short while into the drive, he realized he was too old to make the trip and turned around and headed home. He was probably about 80 at that time.
Joe grew up in Fort Collins. While he was very young during the great depression, he said they never went hungry because they always worked on farms. After graduating high school, he was the first one to move to Denver. Most of his family followed and move here as well.
There he met and married Irene Marie Atencio. She was the love of his life, and although their marriage would end after 35 years, they did manage to rekindle their friendship until the end of her life in 2010. Joe had one daughter, Ruthann, before he married. Together Joe and Irene had three more beautiful children: Grant, Phyllis and Rita. The six of them forged on working, building, traveling, exploring, coming together and coming part over the years.
For the most part, Joe was fairly healthy his entire life. He was always active, driven and focused. In his older years, he walked a lot and went to the gym to work out every weekday for many years. When he was about 85, one day he said I’m done – I don’t want to do it anymore. He was like that. When it was over he would say that – I don’t want to do it anymore. I think the end of his life may have been similar – somewhere deep inside.
While Denver was his home, Joe loved to travel and had an adventurous spirit. In his early adult live, he traveled around the United States, getting jobs here and there and living in various cities for a short time – only working to give him money to keep moving and traveling. While raising his family, his love of travel continued. He took his family all over the Western United States, including New Mexico, Arizona, Wyoming and California, and, of course, all over Colorado. Joe loved to fish and camp and a camper offered him the opportunity to come and go on weekends whenever he desired. In retirement, he and Irene traveled Europe and the U.S.
He was ambitious too. He wanted to make money, to try new things, to make a name for his self, to make a million dollars. He often worked long hours and two jobs. Irene worked too, and together they moved up the ladder. They paid off their first in only five years. After their children were grown, they got their real estate licenses, owned numerous rental properties and began flipping houses.
Joe lived his life the best he could, like all of us do. Through trial and error he made his way along, sometimes right and sometimes wrong, but always moving forward, looking ahead, and doing the best he could. He was a good provider to his family.
In his older years, he loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was especially close to his granddaughter Melissa, and her children could really put a smile on his face and brighten his day.
He enjoyed other things in his elder years too, like football, baseball and even dancing. He really enjoyed his dancing years.
Perhaps now he is reuniting with his loved ones who have passed. We pray he is at peace and happy and perhaps even dancing.
He would want to be remembered as a man who believed in hard work and that it ultimately paid off. He was very driven and didn't have a lazy bone in his body. He had a vision, goals, and ultimately realized his dreams. He did the things he wanted and lived a full life. He was successful and had a lot to be proud of.
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