Arthur "Peanuts" J. Chavez, Jr.

˜Arthur “Peanuts” J. Chavez Jr., age 45, a resident of Belen, was called to heaven on Monday, December 26. He was born in Albuquerque, NM in 1966 and was raised in Los Lunas. God led Peanuts into Mary Aragon’s life and the two became high school sweethearts. The two were married November 24, 1984 and were married 27 years. They started a family in Los Chavez where he lived the remainder of his life. Peanuts was a juvenile detention officer at CYFD. Peanuts was loved and known by so many he gave so much and never expected anything in return. His kind gentle and loving soul will live on in the many people who were so blessed to have known him. Peanuts enjoyed many activities and had lots of interests that he took part in. He was always hunting or fishing, building new projects, collecting new tools and guns. He also enjoyed riding motorcycles, preferably Harleys; gambling, serving his community, animals and especially enjoyed children and babies. One of his most favorite activities was target practice with his family, especially with his grandson, Dominic. Peanuts was never away from his family, every available moment was spent with every family member whenever possible. He was immensely proud of his son, Joshua; he couldn’t have chosen a better career than the United States Marine Corps to make Peanuts happier. He wore his USMC attire with pride. Peanuts and his grandson, Dominic, were best buddies. If they weren’t spending time together they were having “secret” conversations on the telephone. He is joined in heaven with his mother, Corinne Gloria Chavez; maternal grandparents, Jose and Cruz Gabaldon; and paternal grandparents, Fedelina and Pedro Chavez. He is survived by his loving wife Mary Chavez; daughter, Nicole Gurule, her husband Matthew and their son Dominic Aiden; son Joshua Chavez; father, Arthur Chavez, Sr. and his wife, Elizabeth; brothers, Ruben Chavez, wife Virginia and their children, Alexis and Isaac; Gary Chavez, wife Toni, and their children Shaylene and Lucas; sister, Sonya Pacheco and husband Les and their daughter Tanya. Peanuts was godfather to Alexis Chavez and Nicolas J. Aragon. He is also survived by many dear aunts, uncles, cousins, community members, neighbors, and friends. Pallbearers will be Joshua and Ruben Chavez, Johnny Pino, Ray Aragon, Guillermo Gallegos and Oscar Alvarado. Honorary pallbearers will be Gary Chavez and Nicolas J. Aragon. ˜All services will be held at San Clemente Catholic Church beginning with a Viewing at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, December 30 with a Rosary to follow at 7:30 p.m. A Final Visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 31 with a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Los Lentes Catholic Cemetery.

Arthur "Peanuts" J. Chavez, Jr.

December 28, 2011