Jose Carmen Chavez

Jose "Joe" Carmen Chavez, our beloved dad and grandpa, passed away peacefully at his home on February 23, 2024, at the age of 84. Born on July 16, 1939, in Alameda, New Mexico, to parents Jose and Theodora Chavez, he was one of ten siblings. Joe's journey took him from Albuquerque, NM, to Los Angeles, where he married his soulmate, Antonia Luna, and raised five children.

Throughout his life, Joe was known for being a proud Native American, his love for music, and his hard work and entrepreneurial spirit. After retiring, Joe made the decision to relocate to San Antonio, TX, to be closer to his daughter and family.

An accomplished self-taught accordion player, Joe had a deep passion for music and entertaining. He found joy in listening to music, watching Tejano bands perform during Fiesta, cheering on boxing matches, and enjoyed eating at home-cooked Mexican meals alongside a cold Dr. Pepper.

Throughout his life, Joe faced many adversities, and even in the face of obstacles, Joe’s spirit remained unbroken with a spirit of resilience, unwavering grit, and most importantly, his faith in the Lord. May his story remind us that in every challenge lies a chance to shine, in every setback an opportunity to rise, and inspire us to embrace life with courage to face another day.

Joe leaves behind a profound legacy and is survived by his children, Mark and (Yibet) Catton, Matthew Catton, (Charlie) and Diana Garibay, and Anthony Chavez, along with his (9) grandchildren, Nicole, Michelle, Matt, Ryan, Mark, Caime, Toni, Charlene, and Charles, and (13) great-grandchildren: Anthony, Brandon, Birdie Bella, Noah, AJ, Amanda, little Matt, Delicia, David, Isaiah, Layla, Samuel, and Amale.

Their lives are a testament to the love, courage, and joy that Joe brought to the world, and those who he touched will continue to draw inspiration and uplift from his memory.

Rest in peace, dear Grandpa Joe. Your stories and music will forever play on in our hearts.