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Samuel Patrick Chavez passed away on Monday morning, May 9, 2005, at his home north of Newkirk. Born on March 26, 1939, in Cuervo, New Mexico, Pat, as he was affectionately known by his family and friends, is preceded in death by his father and mother, Samuel Maestes Chavez and Rosario Quiteria Quintana Chavez; a brother, Anthony Chavez; his grandparents, Manuel and Marianita Maestes Chavez; along with Manuel and Quiteria Perea Quintana, all of Cuervo. He leaves behind his wife to whom he devoted his life, Dorothy Vaughan Chavez; and his loving children, Samuel Clayton Chavez and Sarah Rose Chavez Guthrie with her husband Daniel Guthrie; and precious grandson, Thomas Patrick Guthrie; and step-granddaughters, Kirstin and Jessica Guthrie. Pat was brought up in the Santo Nino Catholic Church in Cuervo and a member of St. Rose de Lima in Santa Rosa. Pat, the second oldest of nine children, is survived by: Nora Lucille Chavez Pagone (Albuquerque, NM), Joseph Manuel Chavez (Conchas, NM), Albert Ray Chavez (Albuquerque, NM), Evelyn Jean Chavez McCloud (Chicago, IL), Lijio Romolo Chavez (Albuquerque, NM), Michael Chavez (Albuquerque, NM) and Philip Joseph Chavez (Albuquerque, NM). He leaves his beloved Aunt Carmen (Mrs. Procopio Quintana) Chavez with daughter Grace and son Raul; of Albuquerque, his Aunt Lola (Mrs. Chris) Quintana, and Margaret "Maggie" Quintana of Tucumcari, Pat's second cousin, to whom he was devoted. Among his nieces and nephews are Kirk, Joseph Manuel, Jr., Jamie Paul Procopio, (Mel and Phyllis' children); Sylvia Chavez Garcia and Andrea (Albert and ex-Dorothys' children); Rosalie Gomez, Dwayne Gomez, Pat and Dorothy's Godson, Janelle Gomez Bueoeme, David Gomez (Evelyn Jean and ex-Wilfred Gomez's children and Richard McCloud's children Richard, Jr., Steve, Scott, and Shari); Melissa and Christopher Chavez (Leroy and Sandy's children); Antonette Chavez (Tony's daughter); Monica and Michael Chavez, Jr (Michael and Gloria's children); and Ericachea and Philip Jr.(Philip and Ingrid's children)-all of whom he took pride in teasing equally. He loved to be with all of the grand nieces and grand nephews, too. He fondly recalled his schooling in Cuervo's two room school house followed by his middle school and high school years in Santa Rosa. After his graduation from Santa Rosa High School in May 1958, Pat joined the United States Air Force. Following Basic Training, he was stationed at Columbus Air Force Base in Columbus, Mississippi, where he met and married his wife Dorothy in 1961 and became the cherished son-in-law of Robert Clayton and Sara Vaughan. After serving at Goose Bay Air Force Base, Labrador, Canada, he returned to private life in 1962. Hired as an IBM operator by Martin Merrieta, the newlyweds moved to Denver, CO. After the loss of his mother in 1964, the couple moved to Albuquerque and were joined by Pat's father and younger brothers. He attended the North American Technical Institute to increase his knowledge and skill in the electronics field. Following graduation as a technician and being hired by Texas Instruments, the couple moved to Plano, TX, in 1965. In 1969 when Texas Instruments moved its computer operations to Austin, TX, Pat, with his wife and new daughter Sarah, moved to the place where they would spend the next 31 years and where their son Samuel was born. His work with TI took him to many parts of the world as he became a highly skilled and valued senior technician and engineer's supporter. After twenty-five years of service, Pat took early retirement from TI. Shortly thereafter, TI sold its plant in Austin to Selectron. Two months later, he returned to work at the same building only now he worked for Selectron until his second retirement at age 62 in May of 2000. Just before his retirement, Pat was recognized for his outstanding performance and was placed in Selectron's "Hall of Fame." Having grown up hearing the quitar and accordion music at dances, Pat had always loved the accordion. At age 40, having never played an instrument, he became the student of Mrs. Hanni Strahl. He soon began offering to help her with household repairs and later in repairing accordions. As his musical skills grew, they became devoted friends. He played with the Strahl Ensemble, a group that mainly donated its talents to the enjoyment of others. In 1991, Pat received training and commissioning by St. William Catholic Church in Round Rock, TX, as a Care Giver. Through this program, he worked to assist other in need of spiritual support and human compassion. This program stands as a statement of his life. He has always been the helping hand waiting to give service to others. In 1989, he and their two children encouraged and assisted his wife and their mother by letting her enter a doctoral program at Texas A&M University knowing that this would place her two hours away from home during a two-year residency at College Station, TX, with three years of additional work afterwards on her research. Pat has truly been the "wind beneath her wings." Always being there for his wife's many endeavors, he was recognized by the members of the Austin Symphony Volunteer Ushers Program for over twenty years of understanding and cooperation. In 1994, Pat was given an award by the Texas Association for Environmental Education for assisting in their programs. As those who know him might suspect, what he loved most was talking and sharing with others and they loved and respected him in return. Before retirement, his thoughts and dreams returned to the places of his youth and his family. Divine guidance took Pat and Dorothy down a road one spring that lead to their finding the ranch north of Newkirk. After retiring, Pat began work on the log home that has given he and Dorothy great joy and pleasure. In 2002, his wife retired from the Houston Independent School District and joined him in NM. Through the generous gift of time and effort, family and friends joined in the development of the home that overlooks a peaceful valley and Mesa Rica. The many "primos," former classmates, family and friends revitalized his life. Having spent his life dedicated to his high work ethic, he now had a life full of companionship, friendship, and a beautiful sense of family. He loved attending the Santa Rosa sporting events. Taking welding through Luna Community College gave him a useful skill and many new friends. He delighted in coming up with his projects, watching them unfold, and putting them to use. Pat participated in the Restoration Committee's work at St. Rosa de Lima Church. By involving his brother Leroy and wife Sandy in doing stain glass work, he helped to have the two narrow windows above the front entrance made and installed. Just recently he has been helping Kenneth and Lucy Flores clean and prepare the arched window above the front doors for repair. He believed in preserving the past for future generations. In 2003, Pat became a Knight of Columbus. This brotherhood of Christians gave him another avenue of service. Being a standby usher at St. Rose de Lima Church and recently ushering for the Confirmation Service gave him great pleasure. Pat's life gave testimony to the scripture that "they will know we are Christians by our love." He believed in our need for knowing our roots, our heritage, and the large family of which we are all a part. He kept in touch with friends throughout his lifetime from childhood, school, the Air Force, each place he worked, and the many people with whom he just paused to talk. Retirement just gave him more time to catch up with people. His devotion, sincerity, honesty, integrity, and work ethic will be a lasting tribute to him memory. The Pallbearers will be Pat's brothers Albert, Leroy, Michael, and Philip, his Godson Dwayne Gomez, Raul Chavez, Kenneth Flores, and Lucas Sena. Honorary Pallbearers will be David Gomez, Richard McCloud, Jr., Mel Chavez, Michael Chavez, Jr. Christopher Chavez, Earl Sena, John Perea, Richard Perea, and Joseph Sisneros. The Rosary will be said at Santa Rosa de Lima Catholic Church at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening. The Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 on Thursday morning followed by burial in Cuervo. A dinner will be served at the Knights of Columbus Hall shortly thereafter soon after 12:00. In place of flowers, the family requests that donations be given to a scholarship fund in memory of Pat Chavez for a senior in the welding class at Santa Rosa High School through Luna Community College. All services are entrusted to the Chavez Funeral Home, 923 South 3rd St. Santa Rosa, NM (505)472-3369. For online condolences please go to www.chavezfuneralhome.com.
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