Celso Melaquias "Mel" Chavez

Celso Melaquias (Mel) Chavez, 79, a resident of Mora, NM, passed away at Alta Vista Regional Hospital on June 1, 2011 following an extended illness. He was born in Guadalupita, NM on November 25, 1931 and was the third child of Celso Sr. And Praxedes (Sadie) Chavez.
Celso grew up in Mora, NM and at the age of 20 he left home to work in Colorado and Wyoming. Early in 1952, Celso was inducted into the U. S. Army. He served his country during the Korean Conflict and was awarded several medals including the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal After being honorably discharged from the Army on April 8, 1954 from Beale Air Force Base, California., Celso relocated to the San Francisco Bay area in California where he lived until 1985. He was employed as a machinist and the Colgate-Palmolive Plant for almost 20 years.
Celso's lifelong dream was to some day return to Mora, NM and spend his retirement years there in the country, which became a reality in 1985. Celso lived a very fulfilling life and enjoyed sharing the harvest of his orchard and vegetable garden with his many family and friends.
He is survived by his daughter, Madilyn Jeri Williams and husband Craig of Rodeo, CA; three grandchildren: Dane and wife Kayleen Williams, Alex Hernandez, and Janie Williams all of California. He was preceded in death by his parents, Celso Sr. and Praxedes Martinez Chavez; daughter, Carol Hernandez on June 1, 1999, and two brothers, T. J.and Gilbert Chavez.
Celso grew up as a catholic and shortly before his passing he accepted Jesus as his Lord and savior. It was Celso's wish that no public funeral services be conducted. His final resting place will be in Our Lady of Guadalupe Cemetery in Guadalupita, NM beside his mother.
The family sincerely wishes to express our gratitude and thanks to each and every person who touched Celso's life in some way. May we cherish his memory in our hearts always.

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