Ralph-Chavez-Obituary

Photo courtesy of Tempe Mortuary - Tempe

Ralph L Chavez

Tempe, Arizona

Jun 15, 1940 – May 18, 2015

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BORN
June 15, 1940
DIED
May 18, 2015
LOCATION
Tempe, Arizona

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Tempe Mortuary - Tempe Obituary

Ralph Chavez was born on June 15, 1940 and passed away on May 18, 2015. He was a classroom teacher at T.G. Barr Elementary School in the Roosevelt School District for 245 years. He graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Elementary Education with emphasis on Physical Education. He was one of ten children that were raised in the farming communities of Chandler and Tempe. He was the youngest of six sons. He worked as a farm laborer alongside his siblings, which instilled in him a strong work ethic, resiliency, and a competitive spirit to succeed. While attending ASU, he played semi-professional football for the Western Football League teams, the Phoenix Blazers, and the Los Angeles Mustangs. After graduating from ASU, he was drafted to play professional football for the Dallas Cowboys. After sustaining and injury, he returned to teach in the Roosevelt School District where he taught physical education and retired in 2005. His hard work, school leadership, adn commitment to the youth has been widely recognized by students, parents, and teachers. He developed summer and after-school programs for disadvantaged youth to help them come to school and stay in school. His teams received various awards and championships in basketball and football, both locally and throughout the southwest. He received the NAACP Freedom Award which he shared with Jerry Colangelo for his commitment to youth sports and education. In 2007 he was inducted into the Tempe High School 100th Anniversary Hall of Fame. He received the Esperanza (hope) Award, which recognized Hispanic Teacher Leadership. "Coach Chavez" as his students referred to him, brought inspiration to generations of students, many of whom went on to play semi-pro adn professionally. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Magdaleno and Paula Chavez, sisters Concepcion Paiz (Sabino), Paula Rodriquez (Henry), Helen Chavarria (Rudy), brothers Madgaleno (Elva), Manuel (Margaret), Mark, and Tony (Viola). Surviving siblings are brother, Isidro and sister, Lucy Urias. A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, June 26, 2015 at 9:30 am with a reading of the Holy Rosary at 9:00 AM at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Catholic Church, 2121 N Rural Rd, Tempe, AZ. Interment of Ralph's cremated remains will follow immediately at St. Francis Cemetery, 2033 N 48th St, Phoenix, AZ. There will be a reception immediately following the burial at St. Margaret Catholich Church, 2435 E McArthur Dr, Tempe, AZ. Arrangements entrusted to Tempe Mortuary, Tempe, AZ.

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Uncle Ralph,
I know I already posted a message but nothing seems like enough. I know you saw and heard everyone at the services. You saw how much you are loved and missed. Papas keeps saying, " at least uncle Ralph is a funny guy and we will see him again in heaven " he is right but it doesn't take the pain away. We all love you so much. My girls are so in love with you and are touched by the support and love you gave them. Thank you for loving us and welcoming us into your...

Thank you Ralph, for your love and support through the years. Thank you for making me laugh and for making me feel like the best cook in the world. Thank you for cheering on my girls and for being as proud of their accomplishments as we are. You were an inspiration to all of us and it is my honor to be part of your family. I sure hope they have spaghetti (no meatballs, only meat sauce!) and chorizo for you in Heaven. We'll share a plate when I see you again. Love and miss you.

I begin to remember not just that you died, but that you lived. And that your life gave us lots of beautiful memories. I just wanna say thank you Ralph (COACH)for being there for me when I needed a friend to talk too. You will always have a special place in my heart....Gone but not forgotten!!! #T.G.Barr Thunderbirds! Your friend always Tony Figueroa

I love you Uncle Ralph. You will always be the best Uncle that me and my children have ever known. We love and miss you so very much. I will never let the flame of love and laughter that you lit in our lives go dim. I'm sure you can see from heaven and saw Kaprice and Kassidy crying for hours upon hours. They love you so much. We all do. Their best times ever on a race were on the one they dedicated to you back in April 2015. Way to go Uncle Ralph was the video that we posted where a movie...