Our beloved has finished his race and gone on to meet the Jesus he dearly loved and faithfully served. Although we would have desired to hold him here among us forever, Jose Antonio Chavez passed away at his home on Thursday, March 25, 2021 in the tender embraces of his sons and daughters and his true love of 62 glorious years, Julia. He was 87 years young. Dad finished his race the same way it had been run; when God called, he simply followed.

He was born in Salinas, San Luis Potosi, Mexico to Demetrio and Adela Chavez. When his family immigrated to the United States, Dad stayed behind to serve in the Mexican Army and earned the rank of Corporal before joining his family again. In 1954, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, earned the rank of Sergeant, and served our country proudly until his honorable discharge. Dad learned discipline, teamwork, and fidelity. He was a good soldier. Semper Fi.

Mom and Dad met in the fall of 1955 while he was on leave from the Corps and Mom went home that very evening and told Grandma she had met the man she was going to marry. Following a series of overseas letters, phone calls and hitchhiking over 1,500 miles to see her again, they were married in 1958. Dad always treated Mom with kindness and patience. He was a faithful husband and confident leader. They made a great team.

Dad was determined his children would use every educational opportunity available. Leading by example, he returned to school, at times working up to three jobs to support his growing family. After graduating from Del Mar College, Dad worked as an engineering draftsman for several companies over the years, ultimately retiring from the Nueces County Public Works Department. Dad was a voracious reader, a diligent student, and an eager worker. He taught us to search for wisdom. He was always our paradigm.

There are no regretful tears to shed, only tears of utter gratitude for the man who God gave to us. The very qualities which carried Dad through the mountains and valleys of his life were the precious fruits which only God can cultivate in one who will commit his life to Him. His faith lead him to serve the Lord wherever the need arose, be it preaching from the pulpit or repairing a rooftop. He was a faithful servant, a willing teacher, a devoted pastor. He is deeply loved by Jesus. Dad is preceded in death by his parents, Demetrio and Adela Chavez, his brother, Encarnacion, brother-in-law Filomeno Leal, daughter-in-law, Angela Chavez, and great- grandson, Caleb Andrew Martinez.

Left to remember and honor him are his beloved wife, Julia and their children: Diana (Roberto) Cepeda, Dalia (Ruben) Hernandez, Gloria (Mitchell) Everett, Alma (Sam) Aleman, Cynthia (Robert) Rowe, David Chavez, Julia (Jeremy) Carranza, Patricia (Ricardo) Alegria, Rachel (Robin) Rios, Jose (Araceli) Chavez, and Marco (Michelle) Chavez.

He also leaves his siblings: Frances Leal, Eduardo (Chickie) Chavez, Isaac (Mary) Chavez, Esther (Paul) Perez, Marta (Ken) Robinson, Yolanda Chavez, Noemi (Tom) Beisker, and Daniel (Barbara) Chavez. He also leaves behind 27 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and countless brothers and sisters in Christ.

The family would like to thank Dr. Eisen Espina and his staff for their prayerful care over the years, the staff of AAdi Hospice for their guidance during his last days, and our most beloved church family at Primera Iglesia Bautista - Calallen for their loving fellowship and encouragement throughout his 35 year pastorate.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 1, 2021 at Guardian Funeral Home, Corpus Christi, Texas, with a Prayer Service to be held at 6:30 p.m. that evening. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, April 2, 2021 at Primera Iglesia Bautista - Calallen, Corpus Christi, Texas. Interment to follow at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
-2 Timothy 4:7

Services will be Live streamed on Guardian Funeral Home's Facebook page on Thursday (4/1) at 630pm and again on Friday (4/2) at 1130am. Link is posted Below.

https://www.facebook.com/guardianfuneralhomecc