Gerald D. Chavez

May 6, 1944 - October 22, 2021

1944 -2021 Gerald D. Chavez passed away peacefully on October 22, 2021 at the age of 77. He was a life-long resident of Los Lunas, New Mexico. Gerald was one of nine siblings raised in the Catholic Faith. After graduating at Los Lunas High School, he enlisted in the Army and proudly served our country during the Vietnam War. In 1967, he married the love of his life, Jane. They raised two children, Clarissa and Gerald Jr. A career in financing led him to real estate. He and Jane opened up Gerald Chavez Realty in 1975. He was very proud to be a Realtor and served as President of the Valencia County Board of Realtors. Gerald worked with several organizations to promote affordable housing and to preserve property owner’s rights. He was instrumental in the creation of Casa Esperanza. If you know “Riff-Raff”, then you were his friend. He enjoyed riding his horse, fishing, dancing, making people laugh, but most of all golfing. He was thrilled to share his passion of golf with his grandsons, John and Jake. Life with Parkinson’s was his biggest struggle. The brightest part of his last year was Tuesdays and Thursdays, when he would spend the day with his great-granddaughter, Emilia. Gerald is preceded in death by his loving wife, Jane Chavez; his parents, Polidor and Sarafina Chavez; and his brother, Ernie Chavez. He is survived by his daughter, Clarissa Chavez-Rivera and husband, Victor Rivera; son, Gerald “Chopper” Chavez Jr; grandson, John Rivera and wife, Natalia Rivera; grandson, Jake Rivera; great-granddaughter, Emilia Ava Rivera; siblings, Pete Chavez, Pila Marquez and husband, Manuel, Roberta Archuleta, Ambrose Chavez and wife, Mildred, Ruben Chavez and wife Eileen, and Cordy Chavez; and several nieces and nephews who each was his favorite. The family will have private funeral services and ask that you celebrate Gerald in the way that was special to just you two. Thank you for all the love and support you showed him and his family throughout the years.