- Date Of Birth: November 2, 1943
- Date Of Death: June 16, 2021
- State: Arizona
Libor Arnold Chavez was born on November 2nd 1943 in San Rafael, NM, the sixth child of eight, to Clara and Alfredo Chavez. In 1952 the family moved to Flagstaff, AZ. Libor attended Emmerson and South Beaver elementary schools, followed by Flagstaff Junior High and finally, Flagstaff, High School. In 1964 Libor was drafted into the U.S. Army, he attended basic training at Fort Benning Georgia before being sent to Vietnam.
Shortly before his 21st birthday he was wounded and received his first purple heart. November of 1965 brought the first major skirmish, the battle of the Ia Drang Valley. For four days and three nights they were under fire, he fought valiantly and received a bronze star with a “v device” for valor. Following that battle he was injured when a foxhole collapsed on him while on patrol. He was flown to a hospital in the Philippines where he fell into a coma for 2 weeks. During this time he was considered MIA but was eventually “found” at the hospital recovering. After this injury he was sent back to the United States where he was in rehab for eight months in Texas before being sent back home to Flagstaff.
By the summer of 1966 Libor had met Pauline, whom he would make his wife on June 29th 1968. The couple moved to Sunnyside in East Flagstaff, where they would reside for 48 years. Over those 48 years they raised four children, Libor Aaron April 22nd 1974, Jason Armand December 8th 1977 – October 13th 1983, Amber Charmaine October 5th 1980 and Anjolie Marie August 28th 1984.
Libor, in his own words, was a jack of all trades and a master of none. He was a plumber, a carpenter, an electrician, a business owner and mechanic. If it was broken, he could fix it or knew someone who could. After 48 years, he and Pauline relocated to Buckeye, AZ, where they lived until his death on June 16th 2021.
He was preceded in death by his parents Clara and Alfredo Chavez, sisters Annie Valdivia and Kelly Frazer and his beloved son Jason. Libor is survived by his wife, Pauline, children Libor Aaron, Amber and Anjolie & Anthony (spouse) grandchildren Arianna, Libor Fermin, Marcelina, Selena and three great grandchildren (Selena) as well as siblings, Edna Chavez, Trini Valverde, Evangeline Chavez and Larry Chavez.
