Raymond Chavez

Raymond Chavez was born on May 2, 1937 in the town of Belen, New Mexico to loving parents Ralph and Bess Chavez. Ray was the eldest of 5 children, three sisters Rose, Gloria & Cathy, and his brother Ralph Anthony. He grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico with his family until the age of 17, when he enlisted in the Air Force. While stationed in St. John’s, Newfoundland a beautiful girl named Betty spilled a hot pot of coffee on a handsome young fella's back. That turned into an “I do” on March 3, 1958. Their love grew into being parents to 5 beautiful daughters, 4 sons-in-law, 1 daughter-in-law, 14 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren. Ray and Betty celebrated just short of 61 years of marriage, adventure, parenting and traveling the world all covered in the deepest love and faith. On February 26, 2025 Ray went home to heaven to be reunited with Betty and so many of his loved ones. A man that meant so much to us all, a husband, a father, a brother, a son, a grandparent and a friend to many. A man that was truly everyone’s favorite person in the world. To many of us he was Grandpa or G-pa, but to you he might have been Dad, Abe, Abie, Abie baby, Ray, Ramon, or Mr. Chavez. Whatever he was to you, I am so grateful we get to honor and celebrate this man’s life. As you read these words I want you to take a second to feel his love, because if you knew this man, then you knew his love, generosity, kindness, and care. His legacy of love is written and etched into every one of us, into the fiber of our being, and we simply can’t escape it. He may have taken his last breath on this side of heaven, however his love and the endless ways he chose to show up in every season of our lives will long outlive him. His love will go on in our family traditions, in our conversations, and in our lives. All of who he was, I see in all of who we are. I see his sacrificial love and the ways he showed up in the big and small moments of our lives; it ripples down and through his daughters. I see his love for language and roots through his granddaughter and the ways she joyfully carries that on. I see his passion, care and pure enjoyment for nature trickle down through generations when we gather as a family around a campfire with his ingenious fire starters. I see his joy of fishing through his grandsons and great-grandkids in every single catch. I am reminded of how hard he worked his whole life through the mundane tasks of yard work, because I will always picture him in his hat working in the yard, chopping firewood or working in the yards of his family; it is forever in the forefront of my mind and heart. I see his love of food, cooking and sharing space through his granddaughters. I feel my grandparents’ heart, faith and commitment to family every time we all get the gift of sharing time in the same room together. I hear his gift and joy of storytelling in us all. I see, hear and feel so much of who he was in us all. That’s what a legacy of love does; It outlasts, it lives on. And I know without a doubt G-pa’s legacy will outlast and live on for many many generations to come. How does one possibly find words to grasp the impact of this man’s life? It feels impossible. So for whatever was not said, whatever needs to be said, find space for that in your heart. For you, for all he was to you. Here is to our favorite man in the world, to a life well-lived, so big, so deep and so so full of love. We love you G-pa. Thank you for you. Ray is preceded in death by his wife of 61 years Betty Chavez, his parents Ralph and Bess Chavez, his sister Cathy Chavez, his daughter Yvonne Chavez, his daughter-in-law Kelly Mysch, his granddaughter Angela Woods, his grandson Richard Brandich Jr, his grandson Nicholas Steadman, his great grandson Joshua Cranston and his great-granddaughter Aletheia. Ray is survived by his daughter Sharon and husband Tony Dipoce, his daughter Cindy and husband Richard Brandich, his daughter Arlene and husband Michael Pope, his daughter Liz Chavez, his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. A memorial service to celebrate and honor his life will be held on April 2, 2025 at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church at 11 am. (12130 Falcon Highway Peyton CO, 80831) Internment and Honor Guard ceremony to recognize his 22 years serving in the Air Force and retiring as a Master Sergeant will follow at Pikes Peak National Cemetery at 2pm. (10545 Drennan Road Colorado Springs, CO 80925) We would love for you to be there if you are able to make it.

Raymond Chavez

May 2, 1937 - February 26, 2025