Camilo Rocha "C.R." Chavez Sr.

Camilo "C.R." Rocha Chavez, Sr, 87, of Midland, died on Friday, December 26, 2008, in a local hospital. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, December 29, 2008 at the St. Stephens Catholic Church with Rev. Frank Chavez, his son, officiating. Interment will follow at 9 AM Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at the Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.

A Rosary service will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2008, at 7 PM at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel, and on Sunday, December 28, 2008, at 7 PM at St. Stephens Catholic Church.

He was born on July 18, 1921, in Martindale, Texas and married Macaria Arguello on October 18, 1947 in Big Spring, Texas.

While serving in the U.S. Army in World War II, his specialty was being an auto mechanic, and was qualified on a Sharpshooter Rifle on July 5, 1943. Camilo served in the Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe Campaigns. He was awarded the Bronze Arrowhead to EAME Campaign Medal, the American Theater Campaign Medal, EAME Campaign Medal with 5 bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, a Victory Ribbon, one Service Stripe, and 3 Overseas Service Bars. After serving, he worked for the Department of the Air Force (Civil Service) at the Webb Air Force Base in Big Spring, as an Aerospace Mechanic/Diesel Mechanic and then at the Naval Station in Corpus Christi, Texas. He retired on July 31, 1981 after 23 years of Civil Service.

Camilo also retired from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department in Big Spring on August 25, 1998, after 10 years of service as a Park Ranger.

Survivors include his wife, Macaria Arguello Chavez of Midland; two sons, Camilo Chavez, Jr, and Rev. Frank Chavez; a daughter & son-in-law, Janie & Jake, Jr. Balderrama, all of Midland; three grandchildren, Angelique Guardiola, and husband Eli, Jr., of Azle, Texas, Jake Balderrama III, of Lubbock, and Bianca Balderrama, of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; three great grandchildren, Eli Guardiola III, Brynden Guardiola, and Ayden Guardiola, all of Azle, Texas; two brothers, Elias Chavez, and wife Grace, and Chon Chavez, all of Big Spring; and two sisters, Mary Chavez, of Big Spring, and Antonia Podhirney, and husband Ted, of Burkburnett, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Gavina Nunez, and a brother, Nate Chavez.

Memorials can be made to Meals on Wheels, 3301 Sinclair Ave Midland, TX 79707.

We want you to know, Dad, you were the greatest father, grandfather, and great grandfather. We love you. Also, thanks to Dr. Robert Vogel, the other doctors who took care of him and to all the staff at Midland Memorial and Midland West Campus.

Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com