Ernest Chavez, Sr.

Services are scheduled at 9:30 am. Saturday, January 30, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church for Ernest Chavez Sr., 1814 W. Feather Ave., Artesia, New Mexico.

Mr. Chavez, 71, died Saturday, January 23, 2010 at University Medical Center in El Paso, Texas.

Burial will be at Twin Oaks Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Fred Gonzales, Richard Gonzales, Michael Gonzales, Marcus Gonzales, Rudy Granados Jr., and Donny Gregory Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Chavez, Don Gregory Sr., Rudy Granados Sr., and Harry Wesson.

A rosary is also scheduled at 6:30 Friday Our Lady of Grace Church Visitation will be at Terpening Son Mortuary beginning at 10 a.m. Friday.

Mr. Chavez was born February 3, 1938 in Claunch, New Mexico the son of Max Chavez and Anna Sanchez Chavez.

He came to Artesia in Dec. 1960 from Roswell, NM. On July 2, 1961 he was married to Olga Granados in Artesia. She preceded him in death Feb. 25, 2006. He was also preceded in death by his parents.

He served in the United States Navy.

He was a Retired Police Chief of the Artesia Police Dept. also retired from Furrs Supermarket after many years. He was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, International Assoc. of Chiefs of Police, and the Fraternal Order of Police.

Survivors include son Ernest Chavez Jr. of Carlsbad, N.M. daughter Esther MulliganVan Sickle of Artesia brother Joe Chavez of Roswell sisters Mary Gonzales of Roswell, and Anna Rae Fletcher of Denver, Colorado sisterinlaw Margaret Gregory and husband Don brotherinlaw Rudy Granados Sr. and wife Ocotran grandchildren Briana Chavez of Artesia, Kyle Mulligan of Artesia, and Kerensa Van Sickle of Artesia.