Remembering my cousin on this one year anniversary. I can’t believe its’ been a year. 
The world lost such a good man, and we lost a huge part of our family. 
I love you forever cousin. 
Darla 

I miss him today as much as the day I found out he had passed away.  I think about him and wirking with him at St. Mary's.  His humor was huge.  It was easy to make him laugh and his smile was warm and friendly.  It seemed as though no one was a stranger at work.  Patients and visitors alike were welcomed warmly and given the attention they needed to get to their appointments.  He had a heart of gold.  If someone wanted something from the vending machines and only had a credit card, he would go buy the item for them.  I just wish I had been able to give him a hug.  We worked together during covid.  I never dreamed the last time I would see him was Oct 30, 2021.  It was two days before he left on his hunting trip.  Hugs to you Joey.  I miss you.  Rosemary Hoops

I meet Joey when I moved to Cortez to practice law. I always enjoyed Joey. As so many of the previous comments have already noted, his sense of humor and his way of being always made him fun to be around and left me looking forward to spending more time with him. He was so much more than just a sheriff; he truly made the community a better place. My condolences to the family and my gratitude to God that I got to experience Joey in my life.

He was a wonderful, outgoing person that was my pleasure to work with as the Montezuma County Landfill Manager.  He had a twinkle in his eye when talking with me and made me feel a part of the county immediately.  I am sorry for your loss.

Marlene and family :
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. We lost a great guy and God gained a new angel. Our experiences together will be a reminder of a good friend that is now looking down watching out for us. 

Joey hired me at the Sheriff's Office in 2003 to work in detentions and in two years I was able to move to administration. I was able to work with Sheriff Chavez in two capacities and he was amazing in both. The entire agency was sad to see him leave but understood his need to move in a new direction. I learned much from Joey and Marlene about family and treating others with respect. I miss the wonderful employee bbq's they would put on for us. There would be music and ball games and laughter. I'm sorry for his families loss. Joey will always be remembered fondly. I thank him for giving me a start in my career 18 years ago. 

To the family. May God give you comfort and peace during this difficult time. 1 year ago my family was hit with a medical diagnosis that was very hard. Joey was working the screening table and gave so much love and support. My husband had radiation every day for 6 weeks. Every day he was greeted by Joey and made his treatment a more positive experience. He commented on my husbands hat that he had gotten in Afghanistan and so my husband brought one fro Joey.  A special bond was created and Joey will be forever in our hearts. Such a kind, loving soul. we are truly sorry for the loss you are feeling.

Joey was one of the first officers to visit us when our son Casey was born in Cortez. He had served besides my husband for Montezuma County S.O., before Vern went to City of Cortez. He ALWAYS had a great smile and a kind word. Hugs to Marlene and the family and many thanks for the years of public service.

My nephew Joey, meant the world to me. He may be gone, but he will NEVER be forgotten. He will be remembered forever as a good, gentle, yet strong man. Thank you Joey for watching out for my little sister, and for loving your family the way you did. I will love you forever and you will forever be in my heart. 
Uncle Joe. 

I got to know Joey as our security person at the screening table at the Pavilion at St. Mary's. He was always pleasant to both visitors and employees - sharing what he did on the weekend and asking the same of us.  Even if we had a difficult situation he was able to diffuse it with his calm demeanor. I enjoyed talking to him about many different things. I can tell you he is greatly missed by me and my coworkers.

Marlene and family,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Joey.  He was one of the kindest and most considerate people I have ever had the privilege of knowing.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.


I worked with Joey for many years, he was with the Montezuma S.O. and I was with Cortez PD. I found Joey to be a  professional law enforcement officer and a leader and a real pleasure to be around. The one thing that I will always remember is his smile,  which was contagious. It was and honor and privilege to work alongside of Joey and to call him my friend.

My heart goes out to his family, our thoughts and prayers are with you all. He was taken from us way to soon. 

We are So very very sorry for your family’s loss.  Joey was such a kind man and we thought fondly of him as we do all of you!  Our hearts and prayers are with you all and we pray that you find peace and comfort in your memories in the days ahead.

Joey Chavez joined the family of Grand Mesa Youth Services Center after a long career of law enforcement! I mean he was the SHERIFF for crying out loud! Not many people are able to hold that title!!! Joey was one….and he did it with pride! I spent countless hours with the man known as Joey Chavez! The stories we shared and many conversations held in the old III office will never be forgotten! His knowledge and experience is untouched! I spent many years in the military and had many great leaders…Joey wasn’t only a mentor but a leader! His ability to work with anyone was impressive! He made sense out of the most ridiculous situations! We didn’t always see eye to eye but his advice was always heard! We lost a great dude and yet another one that can’t be replaced!!! I have attached a photo of our office shenanigans!!! (My phone was left unattended and now I have some runway photos). Joey I will miss you man!! Love and prayers to the Chavez family!!

I worked with Joey at the Division of Youth Corrections, he was loved by youth and his coworkers. He knew how to get the best from his coworkers  and the youth as well. I will never forget this great individual  and am thankful that I worked with Joey.
Rest in peace my friend,
  Jeff green

Always enjoyed Joeys hunting stories and fishing at ground hog or Maramonte lake.  He will be greatly missed. One of Montezuma’s finest Sheriffs.  Our love and prayers are with all of you.  Bob and Linda

I met Joey in 1992. I was a new deputy with the MCSO. Joey was one of the seasoned guys in the Department and all of us new kids looked up to him as a leader. He had a way of bringing out the best in us. His love for the job was only surpassed by the love of his family. 

Joey could put everyone at ease with his smile and his calm demeanor. I was always impressed with how he never let the stressful situations we often found  ourselves in become bigger than the moment. I learned so much from him.   To this day, many of my stories from the old days revolve around my time working for Joey. I smile and laugh, remembering the good times as well as the difficult times. I looked to Joey for guidance often and he shaped my professional standards I still hold today. 

To Joey’s family I offer my deepest condolences. Please take solace in the knowledge that Joey will never be forgotten and there are many who owe a huge debt of gratitude to him. I am one of those who will forever be thankful I was able to know him. I only wish I could have spent more time with him learning and laughing. 

God bless the Chavez family. And God rest Joey’s soul. 

Kalvin. 

Joey and I worked many months in a row together at the hospital, and about a year in total. I always looked forward to seeing him. He would always make work fun and could light up the room with his smile and laughter. I'll always remember him singing "it's another day in Tito's world. " We bonded quickly on our upbringing (even decades apart), and our open mindedness. He will be missed deeply by his St. Mary's family. 

Joey was a deputy when I started at the Cortez PD....he rose through the ranks because he was real and determined. I always respected his abilities and his attitude. RIP, Joey. God's Peace and comfort to Marlene and the family!! 

Marlene, Nicole, Freddie, Joseph, Aunt Mary, Ramona, & families, 
My cousin Joey will forever be a part of my heart. What a good man he was. I will never forget his laugh and smile. I was fortunate to have spent a lot of time with him these past two months. Memories I will cherish forever. 
I love you all, and just know, my heart breaks for each of you. You are in my prayers. - Darla 

I was blessed to work with Joey as my partner at work.  He really enjoyed greeting the people we would meet, and always had a smile for everyone.  Joey's kindness toward anyone struggling was a priority for him to help.  Joey was great fun to tease.  I must say though he could dish it out as well as take the teasing.  
He was more than just a work partner ,he was my friend.  I will miss Joey. I will miss the fun, the laughter, the friendship and most of all his beautiful spirit.   The attached photo is a card from one of the people that would come for various appointments a few times a week. 
 Joey had already left for his vacation when she brought the card to me.  She said she was so glad we made her smile and laugh when she would come.  I never got to show Joey the card she wrote to us.  She wanted us to know we are appreciated for the work we did.

OBITUARY

Joey Michael Chavez

November 4, 1958 – November 23, 2021

Callahan-Edfast Mortuary & Crematory

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