Jose Roderico Chavez was born in Tinaja, NM on November 20, 1919 to Rafaelita (Lopez) Chavez and Pedro Chavez. He departed his earthly life on September 1, 2016 in Santa Fe, NM.
Roderico spent his early childhood in Tinaja until his family relocated to Maxwell, NM. He attended school in Maxwell and graduated in 1939. He joined the United States Army Air Force in 1942 and proudly served his country until 1946. He was a life-long member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Maxwell prior to moving to Santa Fe.
He married Frances Beatrice Romero on January 9, 1943. Roderico and Frances made their home in Maxwell and their union was blessed with three daughters: Rafaelita, Luisa and Elizabeth. Roderico and Frances moved to Santa Fe in 2009. Frances preceded him in death in 2011 after 66 years of marriage.
Roderico was a very hard worker from a young age and retired from the New Mexico Highway Department in 1985 after 28 years of service. Roderico was an avid reader, cross word puzzle solver, he enjoyed finding and collecting artifacts from the spacious plains of North Eastern New Mexico, enjoyed his daily walks, but most of all was a devoted patriarch to his family, in particular his grandchildren. He will be dearly missed.
Roderico was preceded in death by his parents Pedro and Rafaelita as well as all his siblings and their spouses: Maria (Frutoso) Mitchell, Carlos (Lucinda) Trujillo, Fidelia Valerio, Fidel (Lillian) Chavez, Flora (Paul) Valdez and two infant siblings. Also preceding him in death were his in-laws, Santiago and Raquel (Duran) Romero, all his brothers and sisters in-law. He is survived by his sister-in-law Rachel Herrera of CA. He was also predeceased by numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
Roderico is survived by his daughters: Rafaelita (Sid Webb) of Las Cruces, NM, Luisa Chavez of Raton, NM and Elizabeth (Raymond) Sedillo of Santa Fe, NM. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Antonio (Olga) Vigil, Gilbert (Gabrielle) Vigil, Gabriel (Amy) Vigil, Tom (Amy) Webb, Daniel Webb, Aida (Mark) Miller, Carlos Pacheco, Chrystal Hyer, Nic (Miranda) Sedillo, numerous grandchildren and great- grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Antonio, Gilbert and Gabriel Vigil, Tom and Daniel Webb and Carlos Pacheco.
Recitation of the Rosary will be on Wednesday September 7, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church in Maxwell, NM followed by the Mass of the Resurrection at 10:30. Rite of Committal and Interment will be at the Mt. View Cemetery in Maxwell.
Arrangement for Jose R. Chavez are under the direction of the Alderette Pomeroy Funeral Home of Raton.
