Fermin Chavez

1921-2017 Fermin George Chavez, age 95, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 10, 2017, at his home in Tomé, NM. Born in Denver, Colorado to Toribio Chavez and Adelina Aragon-Chavez, Fermin graduated from Los Lunas High School in 1940 before enlisting in the Army on October 13, 1942. He proudly served his country while stationed in Burma, India during WWII. Upon being honorably discharged on January 8, 1946, Fermin married the love of his life, Sally Silva on August 31, 1947 and they had six children. He received his B.S. in Agriculture from New Mexico State University in 1951 and worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture A.S.C.S for 36 years. Once retired, Fermin could often be found tending to his farm in Tomé or at Sugar Bowl Lanes in Belen where he could throw a beautiful curve ball and knock down strikes with the best of them. He was an active member of his community and was well known and loved by all. Fermin was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tomé where he was also a member of the choir. He was also a member of the Knights of Colombus and St. Vincent de Paul. A storyteller by nature, Fermin also loved to sing, dance, joke around with his friends and family and be surrounded by his many grandchildren. He and Sally loved to travel and their travel took them to many beautiful places. Fermin was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Deanna Chavez; brother, Robert Lee Chavez; sisters, Masie West and Corine Tafoya. He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Sally; his six loving children, Bernard (Mardee) Chavez, George (Theresa) Chavez, Jerome (Holly) Chavez, Clarence (Lynn) Chavez, Della (Jerry) Willis, and Jackie (Derrick) Ross; sister, Flora Tafoya. Fermin is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Valerie Gurule, Fabian Chavez, Jennifer Willis, Bryan Willis, Joshua Chavez, Jason Chavez, Adam Willis, Amy Chavez, Sean Willis, Connor Chavez, Catie Chavez, Garrett Ross and Austin Ross as well as several great-grandchildren; Jeffrey and Jordan Lovato, Kainan and Aleaha Shetabi, Fabian Jr. and Richie Chavez and Hunter Willis. All services will be held at Immaculate Conception Church in Tomé on Saturday, September 16, 2017. A Visitation will begin at 8:30 a.m., with a Rosary to be recited at 9:30 a.m., and a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment will take place on Monday, September 18, 2017 at 2:15 p.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Urn Bearers will be his grandchildren. Fermin will be deeply missed by all who knew him and remembered as a strong, valued member of his community who loved his family. Please sign Fermin’s online tribute at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St. Belen, NM.

Fermin Chavez

October 14, 1921 - September 10, 2017