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BORN

1947

DIED

2015

Permon Chavious Obituary

Permon Chavious Jr. passed away on Dec. 5, 2015, at the age of 68. Born on March 5, 1947, in Bremen, Germany, Permon spent most of his childhood in Anchorage, Alaska, and Columbia, S.C., before his football prowess earned him a scholarship to New Mexico Highlands University. Permon expertly played left tackle, winning recognition as the Outstanding Offensive Lineman at NMHU for three years in a row beginning in 1966. Permon's success on the field was not soon forgotten and in 2013, he was inducted in the university's Hall of Honor. Permon's successes did not end at NMHU. After graduation, he dedicated his life to young people as a science teacher and athletic coach in New Mexico, Texas, Colorado and, most extensively, in Alaska. In 1986, he was named Coach of the Year for the Cook Inlet Football Conference for his work coaching football at Service High School in Anchorage. On and off the field, Permon worked tirelessly for his students. He was their coach, mentor, their greatest cheerleader. He was endlessly demanding and fiercely protective. He worked connections in the Lower 48 to secure scholarships, inspired by and grateful for the opportunities afforded to him by his own collegiate scholarship. Outside of school, Permon was an avid outdoorsman, the epitome of the Alaskan lifestyle. He fished. He hunted. He forded rivers in his underwear with his young daughter on his shoulders. He taught his children to hunt, to ward off bears with song, to enjoy and respect the wonders of the Alaskan wilderness that he so loved and Van Morrison, whose lyrics he inexplicably failed to master despite years of repetition. He had the biggest heart, the loudest laugh, a bone crushing hug and an enormous funny bone. Permon is survived by his wife; children; siblings; and countless men and women lucky enough to have called him "Coach." His departure has left a hole in our hearts befitting the size of his. So long, Alaska Man. Until we can fish together again. Memorial contributions may be made to Service High School Athletics c/o Amanda Cook, 5577 Abbott Rd., Anchorage, AK 99507.

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Published by Anchorage Daily News on Jan. 16, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
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Mike Caress

January 10, 2024

Everyone loved Mr Cavious. A humble and patient teacher and coach. Big guy with a big heart.

Jen Partch Briske

January 10, 2023

I just received an email and cannot believe it´s been 7 years since you passed .. I recently went to Mr Frick and a fellow classmate Penn Holsapple´s funeral ..... it´s all so surreal and it´s hard to accept but I know you are all in heaven throwing the football around , wrestling and watching over us all and I only wish that I had been able to tell each of you in person how you impacted my life ... May you all rest in peace but never ever will you be forgotten..
Jen Partch-Briske

Kimberly Moreno

March 6, 2016

I am so very sorry to learn of Coach's passing. He was a remarkable man and always stood out as one of my very favorite teachers. He always made time when you needed him, and he always made learning fun. He was just an all around good guy. My sincerest condolences to his family.

Rich Hawkins

January 23, 2016

I met Coach Chavious while playing football at Service High School. He stands out in my memory as someone who genuinely cared about others. I never had him as a teacher in the classroom but on the football field I most recall his intense pre-game speeches and his sense of humor. He impacted many lives and I feel fortunate to have known him.

MV.

January 22, 2016

I am so sorry for your great loss.It is wonderful how he touched so many lives. Truly a caring person. You were left with the gift of many treasured memories. (1 Corinthians 1:3)

Erna Whiston

January 21, 2016

Finding words to express the heartbreak I feel in the passing of P.C has been the most difficult feat of my life. To say he had a profound influence on my life and where I am today would be an understatement. I was blessed to have had him as a sarogant father and welcomed into his families home to live with and be a part of. He treated me as one of his own children giving me advice and gentle discipline when needed. His pearls of wisdoms and kind words stay implanted in my memory. He had this way about him that let you know you were ok... He believed in me when I didn't. He loved me till I learned to love myself. He gave me the confidence to push harder and better and take pride in EVERYTHING I DID!! He told me I could do anything and I had what it takes. He told me I could outsmart the boys and do anything they could do and even better. He valued me and taught me respect. He was a "grizzly" of a man with a " teddy bear" heart. I felt special. Then again EVERYONE was special to P.C. He loved all of the kids he taught and coached and was proud of all of us. There is a saying that people won't remember what car you drove, what kind of house you lived in or what kind of weath you have accumulated here on earth.... However they will ALWAYS remember how they made you feel. I will forever remember that I was loved and cared for by a beautiful soul an angel who will be missed so deeply....Because of your life and how you chose to give so much.... I love you P.C. Till we meet again. Love and Prayers. Erna Whiston EPMD

January 19, 2016

Pam and family- So sorry to hear of Permon's passing. Glad we got to see him this past spring at the Flora reunion and how blessed I have been to visit with y'all on a couple of occasions in Homer. He was a gentle giant of a man and his live was an inspiration. He will be missed but remembered fondly! Hope you and family are coping and blessings to y'all all & all the best - Robert /a/k/a Snakeman

Paula von Gemmingen

January 19, 2016

Mischievous and funny, smart and caring. He was my teacher and my friend. His greatest legacy what he inspired in those he left behind. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

January 18, 2016

Perman was a wonderful guy and so full of himself! One of the sweetest people I have ever known....he was a gentle giant and loved at AC Flora High School...I'll never forget him dressing up as a "woman" and being in the Mr. Falcon contest!!!! Can't remember if he won or not, but I sure voted for him!!!!! May God Rest Your Soul......Linda Vincent Morgan-Class of 1966

Dave Merry

January 18, 2016

A life well lived. So long Permon.

Susan Vladimiroff DeFord

January 18, 2016

I was just looking at an old yearbook picture of the girls basketball C team the other day. He was a great coach and teacher. He always seemed to know the right thing to say, whether it was "get over yourself" or "you did a good job". Heaven has gained an incredible man.

J P

January 18, 2016

May the God of mercy bring you comfort and peace. I am sorry for your family's loss. John 6:40

Heidi von Gemmingen-Frost

January 17, 2016

Dear family,
I'm so sorry for your loss. He was a great teacher and wonderful individual. He taught his students not only about science but also about life. Please accept my deepest sympathy.

Heidi von Gemmingen-Frost

Scott Wells

January 17, 2016

The man could teach you, motivate you, make you angry, then make you laugh. All in the span of a few minutes. Rest in Peace, Coach.

Veronica (Owens) Smith

January 17, 2016

My heart breaks with this news. Mr.Chavious... You were my rock and my guardian angel. You taught me more than any other person on this earth. You were my Teacher, my Coach, my light in a dark time, my mentor and a Father to me. You had faith in me when I had none. You showed me my strengths. You knew I could be great when I couldn't see it. You spent countless hours after school teaching me, coaching me on how to be an Athletic Trainer. You saw that I had a talent there and you gave me the encouragement and the tools to help it blossom. You sent me to the Cramer Institute of Student Athletic Trainers in Washington. I came back with so much knowledge and confidence. I have continued to be an Athletic Trainer, because you saw that potential in me. Thank you for 30 years of doing what I love to do. Mr C. I loved you like a Father. You were my best friend. You have and will ALWAYS have a huge place in my heart. I love and miss you!!

Tim Smith

January 17, 2016

Coach Chavious you will be missed.

Dana Aasland

January 17, 2016

Always hoped to get him as a science teacher but never did. He had an ability to be a teacher but also a friend to his students.

Bridget Yates-Hamman

January 17, 2016

Coach Chavious you will be forever missed. Thank you for being such an inspiration to your students and athletes. Hugs & Prayers go out to the family at this difficult time.

Bridget Hamman

January 17, 2016

Coach Chavious You will be forever missed!! Thank you for being such an inspiration to all of your students & athletes. Hugs & Prayers go out to the family at this difficult time.

Renate Nowka

January 17, 2016

Coach Chavious you will be forever in our hearts!!

Becky Byrnes (Grella)

January 17, 2016

I remember him very well. I went to Service-Hanshew until graduating in 1984. He was a wonderful teacher who truly cares about all the students and players. Prayers for his family. May they find consolation in Crist for their loss.

Mark Hurley

January 17, 2016

I played for Coach Chavious at Service High School. As fiercely competitive as he was at the end of the day you felt genuinely cared about. He was a great mentor and teacher. I am sorry for your loss.

Brian Hosken

January 17, 2016

I am saddened to learn of the passing of Coach Chavious. I have had the privilege of knowing the man at many levels and venues. As a 9th grader my first introduction to Coach was literally a quick kick to my backside during football practice. Always demanding excellence, that kick started a friendship that grew beyond the boundaries of coach/athlete to mentor, colleague and friend. Coach gave me the opportunity to be an assistant under his guidance with the Service High football program, mentored me as a new teacher as neighbors in "H" hall and shared his love for the outdoors on occasional hunting excursions.

Most meaningful has been the privilege of sharing my own son with Coach Chavious. Traveling to Arizona spending time with Perm and his wife Pam, he welcomed my son and I into their home and the four of us went to an Arizona/UCLA football game.

We all will miss Coach Chavious and the impact he had on so many people as a coach, teacher, mentor and friend.

Clint McDonald

January 17, 2016

Coach Chavious will forever missed! He was an amazing man, Coach, teacher and friend. Prayers and thoughts go to the family.

Martin Nowka

January 17, 2016

Coach we will all miss you.. Thank you for all your dedication to your students and athletes.

Mike Caress

January 17, 2016

One of the nicest teachers I ever had. Still think about some things he taught in class. And we all loved him. Great role model and all around great person. Will be missed by us all....

Sandy Daniel

January 17, 2016

Charlie, please accept my most sincere condolences on Permon's passing. Nice to know he had such a rich and fulfilling life. Hope he and Colie are hanging out together.
,

January 17, 2016

So sorry to hear about Permon.I just saw him at our 65 reunion in April. We always exchanged cards at Christmas and had just received one from him the first week of December. He was a good friend and a great guy.
Charlie Rice

Rhetta Hartin

January 17, 2016

I will never forget Permon. When Permon was in the class it was never boring. Permon was catching a wee small cat nap in English class when the teacher hit the desk with her hand and Permon woke up. The teacher asked Permon what he thought about Julius Ceasar? Permon
replied, "somethin' else wasn't he?"
Permon will be missed by all that ever had the pleasure knowing him.

January 17, 2016

I knew Perman well, as we played front yard football as young boys in Forest Acres, South Carolina near Columbia and attended A. C. Flora high school together. Although, I have not seen Perman in many years, I do miss him and wish all his loved ones well. Tommy Coleman

Norman Derrick

January 17, 2016

God bless you my friend. I'm sure you think of him each day. He played side by side with Brother Cleveland on the football field as you and I did. A bond never forgotten. Prayers for you and the family.

Mark Rivkin

January 17, 2016

Charles, so sorry to hear of your brother's passing. Please know that your old friends are thinking of you and your family during this very difficult time.

Alex Kovac

January 16, 2016

He was the man all thought he would be.

Terry Eaddy Cottrell

January 16, 2016

Perman was loved by all who knew him. He was a gentle man with a huge heart. We all loved him.
With love and respect,
Terry Eaddy Cottrell, AC Flora Class of '65

Ray Twork

January 16, 2016

I will always remember Permon as a great teammate and a dear fiend.
May God bless his family and all that were dear to him. Buzz

Barry Lourie

January 16, 2016

To Charles and the Chavious family: I did not have the privilege of knowing Permon, but I knew of him and I knew Charles at Flora and UGA. A wonderful family. I truly would like to express my sincerest sympathies on your loss. Its impossible to condense someone's life to a few paragraphs-especially someone bigger than life like Permon. I hope the bright light of his life might help ease some of the pain of his passing.

January 16, 2016

Permon was a good guy and one helluva football player! We were not close but I always considered him a friend. He embodied AC Flora football.

Jennifer Briske

January 16, 2016

To the Family of dear Mr. Chavious,
I was a student at Hanshew & Service High school when the schools were still together. I graduated in 1986 but I will never forget Mr. Chavious as my teacher... We loved him and he had a special way with us kids and always pushed us to do more. I still remember a snow day that we had and there was an assignment due and of course I had fun with my friends instead of taking the time to complete the assignment and when I turned in the paper he just shook his head but with that sheepish smile and said Jen I'll let you try again. Back then kids and teachers probably joked around a lot more and when we found out his first name was Permon we would call him Perm and he just laughed and shook his head.
I often wondered what happened to some of our greatest teachers and I am sad to hear of his passing!! He will not be forgotten.
We have 3 adult kids now and they have all or will graduate from Service High school . I wish they could have had your husband, father as a teacher.
Take Care and I am so sorry for your loss.... Mr. Chavious will not be forgotten.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Partch-Briske

Maria Eikmeier

January 16, 2016

I miss you big brother. Heaven now has another angel.

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