Manuel C. Chavez

1914-2015 Icon from Valencia County, Judge Manuel C. Chavez, age 100, a resident of Belen, New Mexico, passed away on Saturday, October 10, 2015. Judge Chavez was born on December 12, 1914, in Barelas, Albuquerque, to Predicando and Remedios Vigil de Campos Chavez. Judge Chavez grew up in San Fernandez, where he learned how to farm and raise sheep and cattle from his father. He attended grade school in a one room school house in El Cerro and graduated from High School in Los Lunas on May 10, 1934. Judge Chavez enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, working in Santa Fe and Staton from June, 1935, to June, 1936. He worked for Valencia County in various capacities, such as being a typist for abstract Inspector, County Clerk’s Office, and Deputy County Treasurer for Elfigo Baca and Nicanor Romero. He was also Valencia County Republican Party Chairman for many years. Judge Chavez was elected County Treasurer in 1948, serving two terms. He served 12 years on the Los Lunas School Board and was the Belen Municipal Judge from 1981-2002. Judge Chavez also worked with the Midwest Community Action Program for ten years. He is preceded in death by his first wife Mary S. Chavez and his second wife, Nila P. Chavez; children, Senator Willie Chavez, Andy Chavez, Virginia Lovato and Clifford Chavez; parents, Predicando and Remedios Vigil de Campos Chavez; sisters, Antonia Castillo, Juanita Carbajal, Tillie Otero; brothers, Escolastico Chavez and Elias Chavez and many nieces and nephews. Judge Chavez is survived by his daughter, Luisa Lucero; son, Dennis Chavez and wife Belinda; stepchildren, Lorraine Padilla (Preme), JoAnne Knight (Bob), Arlene Hays, Jeannete Hiner (Larry), and James Peña (Sherry), along with many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Judge Chavez will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends, as he has always been the “rock” of his family. All services will be held at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church on Thursday, October 15, 2015, beginning with a Public Viewing at 9:00 a.m. with a Rosary to be recited at 10:30 a.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Tome Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers are Nick Carrasco, Joe Maestas, Jesus Sanchez, Preme Padilla, Roberto Lovato, and Nick Martinez. We would like to thank Gloria Sisneros for going on Sundays to give him Communion, also to all the employees from Hospice for being there for him and the family, also Yvette and Yvonne for helping us take care of dad. Please sign Manuel’s online tribute at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St. Belen, NM.

Manuel C. Chavez

December 12, 1914 - October 10, 2015