Ignacio Chavez

Ignacio Chavez, aged 97, peacefully passed away on April 19, 2024. Born on July 19, 1926, to Juan and Aurelia Chavez in Pinos Wells, NM, Ignacio was raised among nine boys and three girls, where the family tended to cattle and horses.  At the age of 7, Ignacio moved in with his sister Concha and her husband Rafael Sanchez after Concha lost her first child.  He completed his education at Belen High School in 1944 and served as a US Army Corporal during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953.  In 1957, he married Mabel Sanchez, the love of his life, with whom he raised three sons in Espanola until her passing in 2004.  Ignacio is survived by his sons Milo (spouse Karen) of Rio Rancho, Don of Washington DC, and Mike (spouse Cindy) of Santa Fe, along with grandchildren Nichole (spouse Corey) of Gilbert AZ, Jerome of San Diego CA, Brianna (spouse Tyler) of Maricopa AZ, and James of Gilbert AZ, and great-grandchildren Elijah, Kayden, Kaia, Emry, and Layla.  A special mention goes to his devoted daughter-in-law Cindy who provided Ignacio with invaluable care in recent years.  Ignacio was a devout Catholic, who regularly attended Holy Cross Church in Santa Cruz, where he served as a commentator. He dedicated 42 years to Los Alamos National Laboratories as an assembly technician before retiring, after which he worked as a blackjack dealer at the Cities of Gold Casino.  Even in retirement, he continued dealing blackjack weekly at the Rio Grande Retirement Home in Rio Rancho, where he resided for the last eight years. Ignacio was a self-taught pianist, mastering the black keys on his first piano.  He enjoyed sports, particularly supporting the LA Dodgers and Lobos on numerous outings with his sons.  Known for his humility, kindness, and loyalty, Ignacio rarely had a negative word to say, except when his favorite sports teams fell short. He took great pride in his sons' college graduations and cherished visits from his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.