Armando Chavez

Beloved husband, father, brother, and friend passed away peacefully on January 31, 2015 surrounded by loving family members. In the last year, he was diagnosed with a rare degenerative neurological disorder, Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease which caused his rapid decline. Armando, 66 years of age was born in Laredo, Texas to Ismael and Guillermina Chavez in 1948.

He will be remembered and missed immensely by his wife Althea Chavez, daughter Angela Aelvoet, her husband John Aelvoet, and her two children Amber and Marcus Martinez; his daughter Loretta Peterman, her husband Jimmy Peterman and their three children, Uriah, Sloan, and Beau Peterman; his six siblings, Yolanda Pena and her husband Carlos; Gilbert Chavez and his wife Celia; Ismael Chavez III and his wife Lucy; Danny Chavez and his wife Anna; Norma Medina and her husband Arturo, Cindy Chavez and her partner Joanne; mother of his two daughters, Margarita Chavez and other loving family. He is preceded in death by his second wife Susie Chavez and is survived by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and extended family.

Armando served his country well; first entering the United States Marine Corps as a Machine Gunner from 1968-1973 which included the Vietnam War. He completed a tour in Desert Shield/Desert Storm in the Army, continuing to serve our country in the Army National Guard for twenty years, retiring in 2008. During his career, he worked as a Professional Firefighter employed in the Ft. Sam Houston Fire Department, and retired with 32 years of service in 2005. He was hard working, kind, extremely generous and had a great sense of humor. His close friends and colleagues referred to him as “Jive”. In his Christian faith, he was an active member at Cornerstone and Destiny Church, and devoted much of his time to serving the Lord.

The family would like to recognize and give gratitude to the staff at Christus VNA Hospice; especially to Karen Thomas, his visiting nurse. Their caring and comprehensive help allowed Armando to spend his final days in his home. Many thanks to caregiver Michelle Ingrassia - Duarte, for providing compassionate care to him. Brother Gilbert, we thank you for coming down from Arizona to give supportive companionship when he needed it the most. Grandson Marcus, we appreciate your vigilant efforts and care. Sister Cindy and Joanne for taking time on your days off to keep him company and bring a smile to his face. To his siblings, thank you for the constant love, concern and support each of you provided through it all. Blessings to you and your families for giving your time as you truly were blessings in his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) Foundation, Inc. (www.cjdfoundation.org).