Frank Chavez Sr., 76, of Winslow passed away on Monday, July 17, 2017, surrounded by his family. Holy Rosary will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, July 28, with Mass of Christian Burial following immediately at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Winslow, followed by interment at Desert View Cemetery. A light luncheon will follow at St. Joseph’s Catholic School. He was born Aug. 15, 1940, in St. Johns, the fourth child of Eusebio and Estefana Chavez. He began his childhood in the St. Johns, Concho and Springerville areas, and later grew up in Winslow. Frank honorably served in Hawaii and Vietnam as a U.S. Army infantryman and helicopter mechanic after being drafted in 1963. He returned to Winslow, later spending time as an aviation mechanic in Seattle, Wash., and Palmdale, Calif. While back in Winslow to be near his mom and family, he met and married the love of his life and mother of his children, Elaine. He worked in town as an auto mechanic, eventually running his own auto repair shop. Frank also served in the Arizona Army National Guard in Winslow and Camp Navajo (Bellemont) as a heavy equipment mechanic from 1980 until the late 1990s. He later worked as a sales associate, lastly at Casey’s Color Center, with his late sister Beatrice. Among many things, Frank was a car enthusiast and hobbyist mechanic. As a father figure, he enjoyed passing on his knowledge and love of auto mechanics, hunting, fishing, and the outdoors to his nephews, nieces, sons and grandkids. He enjoyed going out for coffee and socializing at numerous restaurants around Winslow. Survivors include his wife of almost 44 years, Elaine Chavez of Winslow; three sons, Frank Chavez Jr. of Los Lunas, N.M., Mark (Carol) Chavez of North Las Vegas, Nev., and Dean Chavez of Winslow; his brother, David (Mary Ann) Chavez of Phoenix; four grandchildren, Marc, Frankie, Isabel and Riley; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, near and far. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Eusebio and Estefana Chavez; his brother, Eusebio Chavez; and three sisters Virginia Sanchez, Tillie Magana and Beatrice Martinez. Greer’s Mortuary of Winslow was in charge of the arrangements.
