George Chavez, Sr.

George Chavez Sr. died peacefully April 18, 2010 in Farmington, surrounded by his loving wife and children. George lived most of his life in Farmington. George was born on January 2, 1925, in Nageezi, NM. He is Náneesht’ézhí Táchii’nii (Charcoal-Streaked Division of Táchii’nii) and born for Tl’aashchí’í (Red Cheek People). George was preceded in death by his son, Irvin “Merv” Chavez, his parents, Martin and Eva Chavez, sister, Laura Vigil and brothers, Neil and Herbert Chavez. George was survived by his wife of 63 years, Ernestine; children, Janet (Charles) Harris, Loretta, Melvin, Julia (Lance Raddatz), Winona (Harry), Alvin (Ruby), George Jr. (Agnes), and Lisa (David Sandoval); stepchildren Nancy (Jimmy Norbert, Sr.) Chavez and Vern (Maxine) George. He had 34 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. George served as a Navajo Code Talker in WWII for the United States Marine Corp. He served in the 4th Division, 25th Regiment from May 1943 to March 1945. He was Radio Telephone Operator. He participated in operations against enemy forces in Kwajalein, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima. After returning from the war, George worked many jobs including the Union Pacific Railroad, El Paso Natural Gas and Gas Company of New Mexico. George retired after 33 years of service from the Gas Co. of NM. Services will be held at 11:00 am today, Thursday, April 22, 2010 at the Farmington Civic Center, 200 W. Arrington, Farmington, NM. The funeral procession will be lead by a motorcycle escort to the Veterans Memorial at Memory Gardens east of Farmington. A reception will follow the interment at the Light of Life Mennonite Church Fellowship Hall, 780 Boyle Road, Farmington, NM. Pallbearers will be George’s grandsons: Tyson, Terrance, Craig, Micah, Mathias, Adrian Thomas, Garrett, Kyle and Hosteen Nez Sandoval. Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home 103 E. Ute St. Farmington, NM 87401 (505) 325-8688