- Date Of Birth: June 14, 1925
- Date Of Death: January 2, 2015
- State: New Mexico
Esmael “Smiley” Chavez, 89, died January 2, 2015, in Albuquerque, NM, surrounded by family. He was born June 14, 1925 in Santa Rosa, NM to Justiniano and Dolores “Lola” Chavez. He married Virginia Garcia on August 9, 1948 in Clovis, NM.
Smiley is a veteran of World War II. He served on the USS Wyandot as a gunner. He participated in the American Area, Asiatic-Pacific and Philippine Liberation. He received the Victory Medal for World War II. After leaving the Navy he became the best meat cutter and worked at various meat packing companies and at CAFB Commissary, retiring in 1987.
Smiley loved his family. He loved his wife, Virginia. She was his light and when she died three years ago, the light in his eyes dimmed. He loved his children and worked most of his life so that they could have a better life. With only a third grade education, he did it, he gave his “kids” a better life. Smiley would never call himself a successful man, though he was, he finished everything he started; he gave love and he was loved back. He did it right.
He is survived by four sons and two daughters; Christian (Nellie) Chavez, Christina (Manuel Aguirre) Chavez, Max Chavez, Jean Chavez, Simon L. Chavez, and Paul (Norma) Chavez; 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by the love of his life, Virginia Chavez, his parents, Justiniano and Lola Chavez, and his brothers and sisters.
A rosary will be recited on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at Steed Todd Chapel, in Clovis, NM.
