Bernard "Paul" Chavez

BERNARD PAUL CHAVEZ

1940 - 2019

Paul Chavez went to his heavenly home on January 1, 2019 after a brave battle with cancer. He was always a man of great faith and a follower of Jesus Christ. He was a devoted Catholic, parent, grandfather, and friend.  He was a passionate wood carver, jewelry maker, gardener, and many more talents. He was an active member of Our Lady of Lourdes Magna Catholic Church. He joined his beloved wife Donna, parents, Ray and Eloida (Trujillo) Chavez, and brother Edward. Paul was born in Dulce, New Mexico on August 30,1940, and grew up in Albuquerque where the family moved after World War II.

Paul attended schools in Alamagordo and Albuquerque, NM, graduating from Valley High School before being drafted into the US Army serving two tours of duty that included assignment to the Strategic Headquarters of Allied Powers in Europe (SHAPE) in Paris, France. After his military service, he returned to Aztec, NM where the family had moved when his Dad was hired as heavy equipment mechanic at the Navajo Dam. During this time Paul met Donna Mondragon whom he married in 1966 in Magna.  They moved to Albuquerque NM, and in 1970 they adopted their precious angel, Tamara, fulfilling their dreams of a family. Returning to Magna, Paul worked at the US Federal Office Building in Salt Lake City until his retirement.

Paul is survived by his daughter & son-in-law (Tamara & Chance Elsbury), grandsons Travis and Curtis, and great-granddaughters Arriana Rose and Presley Raeann, as well as his sisters Loyola Chavez, Bette Holcomb, Cordelia Candelaria Beveridge, Cynthia Kelly, Tesamae Stone, and brother Marcus, aunts Angie Trujillo, Rosina & Uncle Jim Intravia, and other extended family members including many devoted nieces & nephews.

A viewing will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Magna on Sunday, January 6, 2019 at 6-7 p.m. and followed by a Rosary at 7 p.m. His funeral Mass will be held on Monday, January 7, 2019 at 10 a.m., at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 2840 South 9000 West, Magna, Utah. Committal will take place following Mass at Utah Veterans Memorial Park, 17111 S. Redwood Road. Online condolences: www.peelfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, Paul has requested donations be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Building Fund, his beloved church.

A special thanks to Dr. Ray Morris and staff and the staff at Utah Cancer Specialist and Harmony Home Health & Hospice for taking such good care of my father during his final journey of life.