Ernest Chavez

Ernest Chavez, 82, a former district director of the New Mexico Department of Motor Vehicles, passed away at his home in Las Vegas on Tuesday in the arms of his loved ones. He was preceded in death by his parents, Florencio and Rosa Atencio Chavez; and three older sisters: Celia Martinez, Della Blea, and Florence Powers.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Pauline Segura Chavez of the family home; four sons: Mike Chavez and wife Margaret, Curly Chavez and wife Maria, James Chavez, and Ramon Chavez and companion Frankie Encinias all of Las Vegas, NM; three daughters: Vangie Blair and husband Michael, Kathy Houk, and Charlynne Otero all of Las Vegas, NM; grandchildren: Amanda Gonzales and husband Lawrence, Barbara Martinez and husband Vidal, Mike Chavez Jr., Melissa Garcia and husband Tom, Aubrie Chavez and David Palomino, Carlos Chavez, Ernest Chavez, Ramon Chavez Jr., Jessica (Florida) Chavez, Roger Houk and fiancee Amber; great-grandchildren: Lawrence II, Nathan and Sean Gonzales, Ethan Chavez-Martinez, Michael and Jerry Chavez, Gabriel Chavez, Nathan Palomino, Venessa and Jennifer Chavez, Sean Chavez, Vylett Houk, and Austin Arguello.
He was born in Denver, Colorado on May 2, 1927. His family moved to Mora, New Mexico in 1939 and then he went to work in the shipyards in San Francisco, CA. He was a Veteran of the Korean Conflict having served with P Battery of the 726th AAA Gun Battalion in the U. S. Army. He was honorably discharged on October 31, 1951 with the rank of Sergeant. He was a member of the 720th Transportation Company of the National Guard and a past member of American Legion Post 12 and the San Juan Argonne Post 1547 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was united in marriage to Pauline Segura here in Las Vegas at Our Lady of Sorrows Church on June 2, 1947. He worked for the New Mexico Port of Entry and the New Mexico Highway Department. He was the local director of the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department. Ernie was active in his community working as a salesman for the local Gambles Store for 17 years and was a member of the Town of Las Vegas City Council for 12 years and a member of the consolidated council for the new City of Las Vegas from 1970 to 1974. His hobbies included carving canes and walking sticks. He was a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Church.
Cremation has taken place and all services will be held from Our Lady of Sorrows Church with a rosary on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. and the Mass of Christian Burial on Friday morning at 9:00 a.m. Father C. John Brasher will celebrate the Mass. The interment will follow in the San Jose Cemetery. The family has requested that memorials be sent to the Heating and Air Conditioning Fund at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 403 Valencia, Las Vegas, NM

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