Louie Nava

He was born on a Monday morning, March 5, 1951 to Adolfo Nava Jr. and Enriqueta Rojas Nava. He was the fourth of seven children.

He went to Bel Air High School where he held a leadership position in the Ysleta chapter of DeMolay and was a recipient of the John Philip Sousa award for excellence in music. It was here that he met the love of his life, Evelyn Hawkins.

He then went on to graduate from the University of Texas at El Paso with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. He started working for the city of El Paso in the Parks and Recreation department at a very young age as a sports grounds keeper and eventually worked his way up to become the director of the summer PIC program.

At the age of 21, he started his career as director of bands at Bel Air Junior. He then continued the bulk of his career at Desert View Middle School while being a private music instructor on the side at Kurland-Salzman Music and retired as a music education mentor at Ysleta High School.

Throughout his 38-year career, he taught his own children, multiple family members and countless others’ children the love and appreciation of music. It was not the only but was one of the most impactful legacies that he bestowed upon every student in his classes.

He was an avid fan of UTEP Miner Basketball as a season ticket holder, he loved classic movies, he loved reading about history – namely World War II in which his father served, was a life-long music lover and a joker who made all around him smile and have a great time.

Louie was a devout member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church serving as president of the United Methodist Men, Lay Leader, Cantata Director, Church Council president among many other positions and responsibilities.

Louie is survived by his wife of 45 years, Evelyn M. Nava, his children Stephanie Nava Guerra, Matthew Louis Nava (Arlow Cruz), Samantha Michelle Nava (Kirk Sayles) and grandson Nathan Raymond Louis Guerra.

He is survived by his siblings Irma Owens (Robert), Albert Nava (Nita), David Nava (Norma), Sherry Nava-Williamson (Morris), Deborah Sanchez (Sam) and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents Pascual and Angela Rojas, Adolfo Sr. and Manuela Nava and his brother Adolfo Nava III (Alicia).

Louie’s memorial service will be held at Martin Funeral Home East – 1460 George Dieter – on January 11, 2022 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. Prayer service at 6:00pm.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13

“Love you to the moon and back.”