Arcenio “Archie” T. Chavez, 82 of Bayard NM passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at Mountain View Regional Medical Center in Las Cruces on January 15, 2021. He was born in Quemado, New Mexico on November 8, 1938; the son of Pedro A. Chavez and Josephine Thompson Chavez, the middle child of fourteen siblings on the family ranch. Upon graduation from Quemado High School, he attended Western New Mexico University and received his Bachelors and two Master’s degrees in education. His teaching career started in White River Arizona, then to Springerville, Arizona and lastly the Cobre District until retirement. Retirement did not last long and he became an adjunct instructor at WNMU. He was a dedicated educator and encouraged his students to excel. He taught adult basic education classes at night to many students and Citizenship classes to many naturalization Citizenship applicants.
He was inducted into the Education Hall of Fame of WNMU in 2005 and NM Officials Association Hall of Fame in 2007. His proudest award was from the Red Cross and Heart Association for saving the life of a child struck by lightning while on a fishing trip in Arizona.
He was a faithful and active member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church since 1972 and served in many capacities. He was a 4th degree Knight of Columbus and held various offices during his active tenure; and was a proud Guadalupano.
In addition to being an educator and active member of the church, he was owner and operator of A.N.T upholstery. He also served two terms as City Councilor for the City of Bayard.
He never forgot his roots and remained an avid cowboy and reminisced about his experience on the last cattle drive from Quemado to Magdalena before modern shipping trucks became the norm.
His son’s activities were very important to him and supported them in all of their endeavors. Coaching little league and training young baseball umpires was a summer passion. Leather work was his main hobby as were fishing and hunting with his sons. He loved going to the casinos and playing slots.
He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Olga Salce Chavez, sons Tim (Connie), Nick (Rox Anne), granddaughters Amy, Krista, and Sydnee and grandson Codee and great-grandchildren Larissa, Christina, Erica, Abrianna, Elena, and Michael. Brothers Candelario (Tommie) and Alex, sisters Priscilla Stahl, and Gloria Moore, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Jose, Pedro, Eustacio, Santiago, sisters Emilia Gonzales, Connie Trujillo, Margaret Cheshire, Stella Tafoya, Mary Jean Garcia, and nephew and godson Joseph Tafoya.
Services will be held on Saturday, January 30th, 2021 at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Bayard. Viewing will begin at 10:00 am, rosary at 10:30, followed at 11:00 with the mass of Christian Burial, Father Martin Okonkwo officiating. Interment will be at the Hanover Cemetery immediately following the mass. Pallbearers will be Danny Teran, David Teran, Fabian Trujillo, Pedro Chavez, Sydnee Chavez, Codee Chavez, and Lorraine Zunich. Honorary Pallbearers are Carrie Lewis and Mick Zunich.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Partners in Hope, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Due to NMDOH COVID-19 restrictions, attendance at Our Lady of Fatima may not exceed 75 persons. Attendance at the Cemetery is limited to 5 persons at the burial site and only ten cars are allowed inside the cemetery grounds. Passengers inside the cars may stand outside their vehicles, or may remain inside their vehicles during the burial. With regret, there will be no fellowship and face coverings are required at all services.
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels “Trusted care for the ones you love” ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.