1923
Prospero
2016
Prospero "Pete" Chavez
July 25, 1923 — July 14, 2016
Prospero "Pete" Chavez was born July 25, 1923 to Pedro and Barbarita Chavez in Alameda, Bernalillo County, New Mexico. Prospero was orphaned by age 13 and was raised by his brothers and sisters. Prospero was the youngest of six children including two brothers, Polidor and Juan Chavez and three sisters, Victoriana, Amalia and Flora. Prospero is survived by his spouse of 67 years, Stella E. Chavez; three sons Raymond Chavez and wife Linda J. of Cerritos CA., Leonard D. Chavez and wife Karlene M. of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Russell A. Chavez and wife Deborah of Denver CO and former spouse Lucille of Albuquerque. In addition, he was blessed with six grandchildren, Cristal DeVargas and husband (Tony), Russell Chavez Jr., Breanne Chavez and fiancé (Mike), Brent Chavez and wife (Brianna), Jenna M. Lucero and husband (Adam), and Jared D. Chavez. Prospero was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren, Audra, Angelize, Lola, Joslynn, Ezra, Eli and Charli Rae.
Prospero had a full and adventurous life. He grew up in Alameda, New Mexico and attended Alameda Elementary and Albuquerque High. After completing his education, Prospero was employed as "Cowpuncher" by a ranch in the Los Lunas area. Days prior to Pearl Harbor, Prospero signed up for induction into the U.S. Army. With friend Elojiho Barrela, he made the journey to Fort Bliss, where on January 6, 1942, he was inducted into the U.S. Army. After completing basic training at Ft. Bliss, he completed additional training at various military installations including Camp Cook, Camp Roberts and the Desert Training Center. He was assigned to the Headquarters Battery 65th Armored Field Artillery (AFA) Battalion - the Thunderbolt Battalion. His unit was deployed to the North African Theater of combat transiting out of Fort Dix, New Jersey via the Queen Mary to Casablanca, Morocco. The 65th AFA Battalion saw action in the battles of Kasserine Pass, El Guettar, Gafsa and Bizerete among others. The unit was in theater until the Axis powers were expelled totally from North Africa. Prospero's unit next saw action in the invasion of Sicily, traversing the island from the landing beaches to the cities of Agrigento, Licata, Palermo ultimately participating in the liberation the final Nazi strong hold of Messina, Sicily.
Upon the termination of fighting on the island of Sicily, Prospero's unit was reassigned to Banbury, England, undergoing training in preparation for the invasion of the continent of Europe. Traveling from North Africa aboard Allied transport ships, he described the trip as eating only bread and "cockroaches." During training for the invasion of Europe, a number of troopers underwent jump training in anticipation of parachuting as part of the airborne operations of the forthcoming invasion. Prior to the day of the invasion, one of the chosen troopers decided jumping out of airplanes was not his cup of tea. Attempting to find a replacement, the trooper approached Prospero and asked if he would take his place. In spite of everything rational, he volunteered. The troopers who were undergoing the training understood that their jumping with the airborne units was a secret mission and they were not to speak of it. Prospero took this order to heart and never spoke of his participation in the jump for nearly 65 years before discussing this part of his wartime experiences. After rejoining his unit after the jump into Normandy, the unit fought in the hedgerows until Operation Cobra led to the breakout from the St. Lo - the area his war had been confined to since D-Day. Prospero remarked every year on his birthday that there was quite a fireworks show that took place on his 21st birthday, July 25, 1944, the day Operation Cobra commenced and the day the Allies broke thru. The 65th AFA Battalion fought in numerous campaigns during the Liberation of Western Europe including Normandy, Southern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. His unit, among the first American troops, after a two-week wait, linked up with Soviet allies along the Elbe River in late April. Prospero was awarded three Bronze Arrowheads, for the three invasions he was involved in and seven Battle Stars. Additionally, he was presented the highest award, a Presidential Unit Citation. After two years, eight months and three days in theater and three years, eight months and seventeen days, Prospero was discharged on September 27th, 1945 and began the next part of his life's journey.
After the war, Prospero returned to Alameda and had several jobs, including orderly at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Albuquerque, as a baker, and a butcher shop owner before settling in as a livestock inspector with the United States Department of Agriculture. Most importantly, it was upon his return that he met and married Stella. They began their life together for the next 67 years on September 18, 1948. Their family together grew with the birth of their first son, Raymond, and they moved to Clovis, New Mexico, their home for 22 years. They were subsequently blessed with two more sons, Leonard and Russell. Prospero, or Pete as he was more commonly known in Clovis, and Stella were very active in church activities. They were parishioners and active volunteers at Sacred Heart Catholic church and worked tirelessly to help the church fund the associated school. Additionally, Pete was active as a youth sports coach. He had quite a successful "career" as a little league head coach, winning a multitude of league championships and advancing to district all-star play regularly. He also coached basketball for Sacred Heart's youth basketball teams for a period of time. During their time in Clovis, Pete and Stella had many friends and enjoyed their 22 years in the community. In 1974, Prospero and his family returned to Albuquerque where he remained employed with the USDA until his retirement in the mid-80's.
During his retirement, he spent many hours with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed every minute of time he spent with his grandchildren and was brought much joy seeing them grow and begin families of their own. With the arrival of numerous great-grandchildren, his joy was multiplied infinitely. Until his final days, seeing one of them would brighten his spirit and delight him immeasurably.
Dad left us early on the morning of July 14th, 2016, with his wife Stella and grandchildren Cristal and Russell Jr. by his side. Stella made his life as comfortable as possible during this difficult period. A simple, humble, faithful man whom prayed to his God every day, he may have left us, but he will always be with us.
FRENCH - Westside
9300 Golf Course Rd NW
505-897-0300
Prospero had a full and adventurous life. He grew up in Alameda, New Mexico and attended Alameda Elementary and Albuquerque High. After completing his education, Prospero was employed as "Cowpuncher" by a ranch in the Los Lunas area. Days prior to Pearl Harbor, Prospero signed up for induction into the U.S. Army. With friend Elojiho Barrela, he made the journey to Fort Bliss, where on January 6, 1942, he was inducted into the U.S. Army. After completing basic training at Ft. Bliss, he completed additional training at various military installations including Camp Cook, Camp Roberts and the Desert Training Center. He was assigned to the Headquarters Battery 65th Armored Field Artillery (AFA) Battalion - the Thunderbolt Battalion. His unit was deployed to the North African Theater of combat transiting out of Fort Dix, New Jersey via the Queen Mary to Casablanca, Morocco. The 65th AFA Battalion saw action in the battles of Kasserine Pass, El Guettar, Gafsa and Bizerete among others. The unit was in theater until the Axis powers were expelled totally from North Africa. Prospero's unit next saw action in the invasion of Sicily, traversing the island from the landing beaches to the cities of Agrigento, Licata, Palermo ultimately participating in the liberation the final Nazi strong hold of Messina, Sicily.
Upon the termination of fighting on the island of Sicily, Prospero's unit was reassigned to Banbury, England, undergoing training in preparation for the invasion of the continent of Europe. Traveling from North Africa aboard Allied transport ships, he described the trip as eating only bread and "cockroaches." During training for the invasion of Europe, a number of troopers underwent jump training in anticipation of parachuting as part of the airborne operations of the forthcoming invasion. Prior to the day of the invasion, one of the chosen troopers decided jumping out of airplanes was not his cup of tea. Attempting to find a replacement, the trooper approached Prospero and asked if he would take his place. In spite of everything rational, he volunteered. The troopers who were undergoing the training understood that their jumping with the airborne units was a secret mission and they were not to speak of it. Prospero took this order to heart and never spoke of his participation in the jump for nearly 65 years before discussing this part of his wartime experiences. After rejoining his unit after the jump into Normandy, the unit fought in the hedgerows until Operation Cobra led to the breakout from the St. Lo - the area his war had been confined to since D-Day. Prospero remarked every year on his birthday that there was quite a fireworks show that took place on his 21st birthday, July 25, 1944, the day Operation Cobra commenced and the day the Allies broke thru. The 65th AFA Battalion fought in numerous campaigns during the Liberation of Western Europe including Normandy, Southern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. His unit, among the first American troops, after a two-week wait, linked up with Soviet allies along the Elbe River in late April. Prospero was awarded three Bronze Arrowheads, for the three invasions he was involved in and seven Battle Stars. Additionally, he was presented the highest award, a Presidential Unit Citation. After two years, eight months and three days in theater and three years, eight months and seventeen days, Prospero was discharged on September 27th, 1945 and began the next part of his life's journey.
After the war, Prospero returned to Alameda and had several jobs, including orderly at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Albuquerque, as a baker, and a butcher shop owner before settling in as a livestock inspector with the United States Department of Agriculture. Most importantly, it was upon his return that he met and married Stella. They began their life together for the next 67 years on September 18, 1948. Their family together grew with the birth of their first son, Raymond, and they moved to Clovis, New Mexico, their home for 22 years. They were subsequently blessed with two more sons, Leonard and Russell. Prospero, or Pete as he was more commonly known in Clovis, and Stella were very active in church activities. They were parishioners and active volunteers at Sacred Heart Catholic church and worked tirelessly to help the church fund the associated school. Additionally, Pete was active as a youth sports coach. He had quite a successful "career" as a little league head coach, winning a multitude of league championships and advancing to district all-star play regularly. He also coached basketball for Sacred Heart's youth basketball teams for a period of time. During their time in Clovis, Pete and Stella had many friends and enjoyed their 22 years in the community. In 1974, Prospero and his family returned to Albuquerque where he remained employed with the USDA until his retirement in the mid-80's.
During his retirement, he spent many hours with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed every minute of time he spent with his grandchildren and was brought much joy seeing them grow and begin families of their own. With the arrival of numerous great-grandchildren, his joy was multiplied infinitely. Until his final days, seeing one of them would brighten his spirit and delight him immeasurably.
Dad left us early on the morning of July 14th, 2016, with his wife Stella and grandchildren Cristal and Russell Jr. by his side. Stella made his life as comfortable as possible during this difficult period. A simple, humble, faithful man whom prayed to his God every day, he may have left us, but he will always be with us.
FRENCH - Westside
9300 Golf Course Rd NW
505-897-0300
Service Details
Monday, July 18th, 2016, 7:00pm, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church
Tuesday, July 19th, 2016, 9:00am, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church
Interment Details
Santa Fe National Cemetery
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