Gary Chavez

Gary Daniel Chavez, beloved father, son, brother, and uncle, of Espanola, New Mexico, passed away April 17th, 2023, at the age of 56. Gary was momentous, generous, patient, and of the absolute good that makes up this life. He was a talented drummer and DJ in both Northern and Southern New Mexico for most of his life.

Gary was born in Belen, New Mexico, on May 4th, 1966, and raised in Los Lunas and Espanola, New Mexico. Gary loved to work on computers and was employed by Xerox Corporation for 10 years, Los Alamos National Laboratory for 5 years, and most recently at the State of New Mexico - Bureau of Land Management for the last 5 years.

Gary loved his children Maryssa and Corporal Isaiah Chavez USMC, whom he shared with his former wife Sadie Chavez of Espanola, New Mexico. He was also a beloved stepfather to Sadie’s first son Nicholas Martinez. Anyone who knew Gary could see that his kids were his entire world. He was their biggest supporter and always championed them in anything they dreamed of doing. He beamed with pride when he spoke of anything they did. Gary and his children will always share a special bond that will last forever. 

Gary was a cherished son and brother. His heart was his mother Mary Lou Chavez and his late father Fermin Chavez, whom he loved so much. They gave Gary strength, love, and he had a bond with them that was unbreakable. Gary loved his moms cooking, and shared a remarkable resemblance to his father Fermin. Gary’s three brothers Robert, Allen, and Mark Chavez were his lifelong best friends and confidants. They all share memories of riding bikes as children on Ash Loop and were always each other protectors throughout life. 

Gary will be reunited with his father Fermin Chavez, his two sisters Linda and Karen Chavez, his nephews Joshua Chavez, Alejandro Manzanares, Manuel Manzanares, Nicholas Maestas, and niece Angela Manzanares, his paternal grandparents Jose Ramon and Mequelita Chavez, and his maternal grandparents Eufracio and Amora Martinez.

He also leaves behind his beloved nephews and nieces; Elias Manzanares, Lino Manzanares, Jonathan Chavez, Goddaughter Janaisa Maestas, Bryan Chavez, Eric Chavez, and Angela Trujillo; great nephews and nieces Audrey, Patricia, Gabriel and Ashley Manzanares, Taliah, Markia, and Zakaya Maestas, Ricardo and Aria Chavez, and Jaysiah Manzanares; great-great nephews Franco Jr. and Mason Atencio, who were the sunshine in his life and brought joy to his heart. 

We graciously invite Gary’s friends and family to attend a celebration of his life at DeVargas Funeral Home in Espanola, NM on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. A public viewing will be held at 6:30 pm, and a Rosary will begin at 7:00 pm. A mass will be held on Thursday April 27th, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Santa Cruz, NM at 9:00 am. 

Honoring the family as pallbearers are his beloved son, Corporal Isaiah Chavez who is currently deployed overseas with the Marine Corps, his brothers Mark, Allen, Robert Chavez, son-in-law Adrian Abeyta and first cousin Bart Sandoval.

The family of Gary Chavez has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley 505-747-7477 devargasfuneral.com