Alex Gonzales Chavez

It is with heavy hearts and sadness that we announce the passing of Alex Gonzales Chavez.  Alex passed away surrounded by his wife and daughters on April 2, 2021.  He was born in Tularosa in 1934 to Bernabel and Otilia Chavez and was raised in Three Rivers, on The Diamond A Ranch, and in Tularosa. 

In 1957, Alex joined the Army and was a part of the 8th Infantry Division’s 8th Quartermaster Company stationed in Germany.  In 1962, Alex married Adelina Nejeres and they had 6 children, Alex, Angela, Albert, Ann, Annette and Andrea.

Being involved in the Tularosa Community was a big part of his life - coaching  Silva’s Roofing Little League Baseball team and working the BBQ booth at the annual St. Francis de Paula fiesta.  He was also an active member of the Optimist Club and the Amigos Club which put on the annual 4th of July Firework show and watermelon bust, among other events. 
Maroon and white ran through his blood as he was a true Tularosa Wildcat fan, always there supporting his kids, grandkids, great grandkids, nieces and nephews.  Dad also played slow pitch softball for years and was the pitcher for the Outlaws back in the day.

Alex retired after 34 years with Dyncorp/NewTec as a Camera Technician and was a part of the Space Shuttle Columbia landing at White Sands Missile Range in 1982.  Alex’s love for taking pictures did not stop there - he always had a camera in his hands, taking pictures of his family and any event he attended. 

Some of the most memorable times with our Dad include camping in Bonito and Three Rivers, fishing trips to Bonito, Sunday drives after getting root beer floats from the A&W or an ice cream from Tastee Freeze, and playing baseball or kickball in the front yard. For our dad, family and faith were the most important part of life. He took pride in raising his family and made sure to instill hard work, honesty, kindness, faith, and compassion in all of his children and grandchildren. He was an inspiration to anyone who knew him, and had the kindest and most generous spirit; he would give you the shirt off his back. Dad was also witty and humorous, always cracking jokes and making people laugh. He will be greatly missed by all. 

Alex is survived by his wife of 58 years, Adelina; children, Alex Chavez (Donna), Angela Garcia (Conrad), Albert Chavez (Janet), Annette Cordova (Manny) and Andrea Carrillo (Bennie); Step son, Michael Sanchez; sisters, Cecelia Garcia, Loyola Romero (Billy), Terri Bugher, Helen Chavez and sister-in-law Helen Chavez; 15 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

Alex is preceded in death by his daughter, Ann (Annie) Chavez; his parents, Bernabel & Otilia Chavez; brothers, Ernest Chavez, Bernie Chavez; and sister Carmen Louisa Chavez.

A special thank you to Teresa Chavez and Anaya Gonzales who were our #1 caregivers - taking care of Grandpa with love and compassion.  To Bennie Carrillo for everything you did - too countless to name.  To Manny Cordova for being here when we needed you most.  To Jojo Holguin for all the work you did.  To Casi Vigil our caregiver.  

Pallbearers will be grandchildren: Alexandria Chavez, Elijah Gonzales, Nicholas Gonzales, Louis Chavez, Teresa Chavez, Matthew Chavez, Jonathan Duran and Tobias (Toby) Carrillo. 

Honorary Pallbearers will be all his grandchildren, Andrea Dominguez, Jennifer Chavez, Lisa Banting, Elizabeth Gonzales, RayAnn Chavez, Tamara Chavez, Melissa Morin and great grandchildren: Hailey, Torey and Kelly Dominguez, Dennis and Garrett Banting, Aaron Gonzales, Anaya Gonzales, Abbigail and Arabella Chavez, Cameron and Jayden Holguin, Abel, Isabel and Gabriel Chavez, Mia and Riley Morin, Cassius Duran, Annie Faye and Tobias  Alex Carrillo, Jr.

Our family has chosen a private service at this time, but we invite you to a celebration of life sometime in the late Summer TBA.  

The Chavez family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Scenic Chapel to direct the funeral services.
 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alex Gonzales Chavez, please visit our floral store.