Demetrio Barela Chavez

On Sunday August 14th, 2022, Demetrio “Tata” Barela Chavez passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loved ones at the age of 87. Demetrio was born on June 19th, 1935, in Tajique, New Mexico and married Josie Salas in September of 1959. Together they had four amazing children: Gilbert, Sandra, Demetrio Junior, and Adelaida Chavez.

Demetrio was a son, devoted husband, caring father, loved grandfather and great grandfather. He survived his father and mother: Juan Chavez and Beatrice Barela, his siblings, Alberto, Lucia, Isabelita, Jessie, Victor, as well as his son Gilbert, daughter Sandra, and son Demetrio Junior. He will continue to live-on through his brother Paul Chavez, sister Josie “Fefa”, wife Josie Chavez, daughter Adelaida Montoya, Son in-law Marko Montoya, grandchildren Tiffany, Leticia, and Julian Montoya, grandson in-law Hai Trinh, and great grandchildren Rio and Eli Trinh who all love him to the moon and back.

Demetrio enjoyed being outdoors, watching the grullas pass over his home in Los Lunas and being with family. His smile would lite-up a room and his laughter brought joy to everyone’s hearts. Demetrio was the man that could make a friend no matter where he went and if you needed a helping hand, he had two that would be there for you. If you were ever hungry you could always count on Tata having bologna, Coronado hot dogs, vanilla ice-cream, and cookies to share.

And if you knew tata, you knew he always ate with a spoon, he would say you can’t get the caldito with a fork.  He never let gas in his blue troquita go below half tank and loved to eat at Denny’s and Golden Corral.

Today we remember his life and celebrate all the wonderful memories we have. The memories we made and hold on to shall serve as a reminder for how blessed we were to have Demetrio in our lives, and he will continue to live on in our hearts and our kindness to others.

A rosary will be held at FRENCH-Wyoming at 4:00pm on Monday August 22, 2022.