Eugene Chavez

Eugene Chavez, 54 of Puerto De Luna and Juan de Dios, NM passed away Monday, March 12, 2014 at his Puerto de Luna home. Eugene was born January 22, 1960 to the home of Ernesto and Evelyn (Montoya) Chavez. He was raised at Juan de Dios and attended Santa Rosa High School, graduating in 1978. He participated in football and track at Santa Rosa. He was a member of the Santa Rosa Boxing Club and participated in New Mexico Golden Gloves competitions for several years. He also worked with his father on the family ranch south of Santa Rosa.Gene was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, he enjoyed looking for arrowheads, hunting, fishing, and wood carving.Gene worked in the building construction business and for several years was employed by Sec Rivera Construction Co. He is preceded in death by a son Eugene Chavez Jr. in 2002, a nephew Leo Chavez Jr. in 2004, his maternal grandparents Juan & Agneda Montoya and his paternal grandparents Jose Inez and Erlinda Chavez.Gene is survived by three children, a daughter Lanette Chavez of Germany, two sons, Delano Chavez of Santa Rosa, and Reuben Chavez of Albuquerque, his parents Ernesto and Evelyn Chavez of Juan de Dios, NM, five grandchildren Izaiah, Madisyn, Jadyn, Delany, and Jeryn, the mother of his children Alberta Saiz of Albuquerque, two sisters Marie Chavez of Juan de Dios, and Jeanette Chavez of Washington, D.C., eight brothers Joe Chavez of Santa Rosa, Billy and wife Frances Chavez of Clovis, Michael and wife Elena Chavez of Juan de Dios, Leo Chavez of Santa Rosa, Robert Chavez of Santa Rosa, Steve Chavez of Puerto De Luna, Ernie and Diana Chavez of Las Vegas, NM, and Jerry and wife Rita Chavez of Albuquerque along with a host of other relatives and many friends.A rosary will be recited at 6 pm Sunday, March 16, 2014 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am Monday, March 17, 2014 from the church with Father Thomas Kayammakal officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Pallbearers will include his brothers Leo, Michael, Jerry, Steve, and Robert Chavez, and his best friend Martin Chavez. Honorary bearers will be his sons Delano and Reuben Chavez, his grandchildren Izaiah, Madisyn, Jadyn, Delany, Jeryn, and his pet dog, Max.Visitation hours will be Saturday and Sunday from 1pm to 5pm at the funeral home.All services for Eugene have been entrusted to the Chavez Funeral Home, 923 South 3rd Street, Santa Rosa, 575 472-3369. To place an online tribute or sign the guestbook, go to www.chavezfuneralhome.com