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CHAVEZ -- Mr. Manuel Diatocha Chavez, 90, of Albuquerque, died at home on Thursday -- Born on a cold winter's day in Moriarty, NM, January 10, 1917, he went home to glory on a sunny day, May 17, 2007, at the glorious age of 90 years. Mr. Chavez is the beloved husband to Mrs. Mabel Chavez; and is also survived by his children, Dottie Sinkey, Josie Cordero and husband, Pastor Joe, Rosalie Cordero and husband, Manuel, Ralph Chavez and wife, Susan, Ernest Chavez and wife, Carmen, Betty Claus and husband, Bob, Harry Chavez, Kathy Caldwell and husband, Roger, Lora Montoya, Terry Chavez, Orie Zamora and wife, Elaine; four step-children, Antoinette Martinez, Larry Martinez and wife, Debbie, Donald Martinez and wife, Lorrie, Ray Martinez and wife, Dee Dee; five sisters, Ruth Ojeda, Eloisa Montano and husband, Paul, Sophie Lara, Anne Sanchez, Theresa Baca and husband, Max; one brother, Steve Chavez and wife, Eulogia; 35 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Mr. Chavez was preceded in death by his sons, George and Danny and brothers, Gus and Louie. Manuel Chavez was the son of Juan Chavez and Josefita Martinez, he was fourth of nine children. He resided in Martinez Village at the edge of the Manzano Mountains. His father, Juan dedicated his life to farming, ranching and working as a coal miner. Josefita was a pioneer wife and mother. Manuel was raised in a loving family and went to a country school. He had 3 years of formal education, which was quickly interrupted by his fathers back injury in a coal mining accident. Manuel's brothers and sisters took over the responsibility of the family and the family struggled through 4 years during their father's rehabilitation. Due to this hardship, Manuel went to work cutting and selling fire wood at just nine years old. At the age of 15, Manuel and his brothers invested in a truck and began his first trucking venture. Eventually he established a personal business under his own name; MD Chavez Trucking, which he continued at for 69 years. He finally retired at 84 1/2. Manuel started his trucking business at age 15, hauling wood and coal, and evolved to hauling sand, gravel and asphalt for the majority of his working career. He worked on road projects in New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona, and was instrumental in the building of the interstate system in New Mexico. Working under the construction companies of: Henry Thygeson, Scousen-Heiss, CR Davis, OD Cowart, Wylie Brothers , JW Jones, JR Hale, Ted Brown, Universal, Cocon, Western Mobile And Lafarge. He worked for Superintendents: Frank Chacon, Gilbert Pohl, Bob Thompson, and Reynel Fernandez. Manuel left a legacy to his sons and grand sons by initiating them into the trucking industry. He was instrumental in birthing the following business within his family - Langford Leasing, EM Chavez Trucking, SPY/D Trucking, and Cordero Trucking. Manuel was exempt from military service during World War II with a farm exemption which provided pinto beans for the war effort. Later, two of his sons would serve in Vietnam -- Ralph Paul and Daniel Joseph. He lost his son Danny in Vietnam. Manuel had a love of world history; he also enjoyed fishing and traveling. Visitation for Mr. Chavez will be Sunday afternoon from 3:30 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Heaven Bound Ministries Church, 4311 12th St. NW, with a Prayer Service to be held at 4:00 p.m. by Pastor Joe Cordero. Final visitation will be Monday morning from 9:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at Heaven Bound Ministries Church with a Funeral Service to be held at 10:00 a.m. by Pastor Joe Cordero. Interment will take place at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Martinez Village. Pallbearers will be Larry Martinez, Ray Martinez, Jason Chavez, George Cordero, Anthony Cordero, and Danny Woodings. Honorary pallbearers will be Rudy Page, Michael Montoya, Louie Cano, and Nick Cano. Arrangements by: Gabaldon Mortuary 1000 Old Coors Dr. SW 243-7861
        Published on: Sun May 20, 2007