Search by Name

Search by Name

Juan "Copie" Chavez Jr.

Juan Chavez Obituary

Juan Copie Chavez Jr. was born on February 16,1935 in Yuma. Copie passed away on December 24, 2008 at Yuma Regional Medical Center of a longtime illness. He was preceded in death by his parents Rafaela and Juan Chavez Sr., sister Eleanor Gill and two brothers, Abraham Chavez and Charlie Chavez. Copie was a longtime retired North Gila Valley farmer and owner of Yuma Concrete Pipe and Block. He enjoyed hunting, riding his Harley, restoring historical vehicles and hitting the Slots. He was a member of the Elks Club #476 of Yuma for 31 years. He leaves behind many loved ones including his wife Mary Kathryn Chavez; sons John Chavez and Joseph Chavez of Yuma, and Nick Chavez of Beverly Hills, Calif.; daughters Sue Silva of Las Vegas, Nev., Sonya Chavez of Valley Village, Calif, Sandra Chavez Hurley of Malibu, Calif., and Sherri Cote of Gilbert, Ariz.; 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his sisters Gregoria Caballero of Yuma, Rose Marie Aguilar of Tucson, Ariz., Dora Luker of Bermuda Dunes, Calif., and Belinda Plancke of Plaquemine, La.; brothers Richard Chino Chavez of Wetumka, Okla., and Charles Chavez of Prescott, Ariz.; and many loving extended family members and friends. A wake will be held at Kammann Mortuary on Sunday, December 28, 2008 at 5 p.m., with rosary at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be Monday, December 29, 2008 at St. Francis of Assisi Church at 2 p.m.; burial to follow at Desert Lawn Memorial Park

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Sun from Dec. 29, 2008 to Jan. 4, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Juan Chavez

Not sure what to say?





Annabelle Hernandez

January 15, 2009

My prayers are with you Copie, and HE will give your family peace of mind.

Olivia Rodriguez (Quintero)

January 14, 2009

To the entire Chavez family, please accept our heartfelt condolences. My father, Pedro Quintero, and I last saw Copie out at the big house a couple of years ago and he was, as always, a most gracious host.

Dori Allen Duran

January 6, 2009

To the Chavez family - I'm so sorry for the loss of your father, I didn't know him but our families have known each other for years starting off on 24th the street and through our school years from Crane (Paula) Yuma High (Joey, Sonya and Mark), softball games (Susie and Ralph) riding lessons (Nicky) and 4-H (Spooky).

I hope god gives your family the strength you will need to get though these hard times, God Bless you all.

Gonzalo & Merci (Marquez) Munoz

January 4, 2009

Our condolences to the Chavez Family. Joey, may the love of family and friends carry you all through your grief.

Rachel and Frank Rios

January 3, 2009

Kathy. So sorry to hear about your loss,our prayers and condolences to you and the whole family. love and hugs from Rachel

Carmen Espinoza Vivianna Pena

January 3, 2009

Our sincere prayer is that God will comfort you in your loss as only He is able to. Nick we met you and sat next to your mom at the Yuma Civic Center May 10, 2008, It was obvious that your family is very united, May God 's Spirit keep you strong in Jesus name.

Ginger Rico

January 2, 2009

I am sorry for your loss. I only met Copie once but his knowledge of family and relatives of the Gila Valley helped with my ancestry. Sue, John and Nick, may God bless you all.

Doug Townsend

January 1, 2009

To the Chavez family, my deepest condolences at the loss of your father, Copie. We all have lost another from our beloved North Gila Valley circle of family and friends. May God bless all of you.

Patricia Miranda

December 31, 2008

To the Chavez Family, You have our deepest sympathy, always.

The Miranda Family (Nene)

Ed & Yvonne Whitehead

December 31, 2008

The entire Chavez family has our deepest sympathy and condolences for the loss of a great man that made things happen for a lot of years he was a friend of mine and a friend to so many. He will be missed by his family but he will be missed by this community also.

Theresa Lagunas

December 31, 2008

Very sorry to hear of the loss of your father. The family will be in our prayers. Terri Lagunas and Rick McDowell

Frank Villegas

December 30, 2008

Sonya and Family,
There are not to many heros left in this world, but he was one.. Sonya spoke of her dad as a warrior he will truley be missed.
Blessings,
Frank Villegas and Family

Serafin & Socorro Espino and Gloria De Anda

December 30, 2008

We are sadden to hear of your loss, our condolenses to the Chavez Family. May your precious memories and love you have for one another help to console you in such a difficult time, we send our love to you all.

Linda Arsenault

December 30, 2008

Sonya and family, I am truly sorry to hear of your loss. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Copie and even talking lettuce:) May you dwell in the memories and know you are loved. Linda and Darlene.

Darlene Persinger

December 30, 2008

To Sonya and her family, my heart and prayers are with you. Always wanted to meet your Dad, Sonya always would smile when talking about him. He loved his family and will be dearly missed

Amanda Stoermer

December 30, 2008

Sheri, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Please know that your dad is rejoicing with the Lord.

David/ Tensy Gill

December 30, 2008

Kathy so sorry for your loss! no words are enough. we are thinking of you.

Angelica Franco

December 30, 2008

We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow. Take care sincerely Roberto Franco and family.

Charlotte Thomas

December 30, 2008

My thoughts and prayers and heart are with you all. I remember the fun visits to the Chavez home on the Gila Monster. My parents always thought very highly of the Chavez family. Me too. I'll see Uncle Merle this weekend.
(daughter of Chuck and Ruth Thomas)

John Montana

December 30, 2008

We want to extend our deepest sympathy to the Chavez family. I will always keep fond memories of my summer stays at the Chavez ranch in the Gila Valley. "Copie" was a close cousin and fun to be with. I will miss him.

Julie Ponce

December 30, 2008

Kathy, Tia Goya & family...My prayers are with all of you during this time..Kathy, please take extra care of yourself and Tia Goya stay strong....I love you both, Julie Ponce

Annie Mae Sweeney

December 30, 2008

To the Chavez Family: May God Bless and keep you during your time of bereavement. God only takes the best. Kathy you are such a strong and loving person, hang in there, God knows your pain.

Mandy Quintero

December 30, 2008

Deepest Sympathy To The Chavez Family...You are all in my thoughts and prayers...Love, Mandy Quintero

Chris Caballero - Coleman

December 29, 2008

going to miss you Copie!

Markie sr. Mirna, Markie jr. and Veronica Gill

December 29, 2008

You were a great family member and alway lended a hand to those in need just remember that you are always in our hearts and prayer and you will be greatly missed out here in the Gila Valley! ?????

Aaron Moreno

December 29, 2008

Our condolences go out to your family...

Ronny Shaddy

December 29, 2008

Our condolences to your entire family, your hearts are in our prayers. We are thinking of all of you
and knowing you are a very close family and your love and strength will get you all through this,
God Bless Ronny and Janilee Shaddy

Michelle Gibson

December 29, 2008

Deepest sympathy to all the Chavez family. I have known this family for many years and you have the most loving and caring family. My families prayers are with you.

Anna Moreno

December 29, 2008

Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.

DEBRA PEREZ

December 29, 2008

TO THE ENTIRE CHAVEZ FAMILY, NICK AND I WANT TO EXTEND OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES. YOUR DAD WAS ALWAYS ONE OF OUR FAVORITE PEOPLE AND I KNOW THAT MY DAD (BRUCE JOHNSON) WAS A GOOD FRIEND OF COPIE'S. HE WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED. MAY GOD BE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AT THIS TIME OF SORROW.

Pat Ruby and family

December 29, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Sandra Gillis

December 29, 2008

To the Chavez family, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. I am a old friend of Spooky and Nick. My sister was Darla Jenkins and I am Sandi Jenkins. My God be with all of you and heal your hearts. A loss of a loved one is so sad and I will think of you all in my prayers.. Sandi ( Jenkins ) Gillis

Showing 1 - 32 of 32 results

Make a Donation
in Juan Chavez's name

Memorial Events
for Juan Chavez

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support Juan's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Juan Chavez's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more