Benny J Chavez's Obituary
Benny J. Chavez
“A life fully lived”
“A Man of the People”
Immensely loved and cherished, Benny J. Chavez passed away gently and peacefully Tuesday 6 May 2025 at the George E. Wahlen Veteran's home in Ogden UT with his family by his side. He was blessed with great health throughout his 95-plus years. He resided in Roy Utah since 1963 and until his passing.
Benny/Dad was born 21 October 1929 in Stoner, Colorado (nearly 7,500 ft. elevation) to Jose Remigio and Maria de la Luz Romero Chavez. He lived there until age 9, then moved to Mancos, Colorado where he graduated from Mancos High School in 1948. He was a four year starter at point guard for the Mancos H.S. Blue Jays basketball team.
Benny was drafted into the Army in 1950 and served during the Korean War, assigned to the 4th division 22nd infantry regiment. After his service, he moved to Roy, UT in 1952. There he met his sweetheart, our Mother Vernie Lopez. He started his career at Hill Air Force Base that same year. They married the following year. They had 3 children: Angelina-Nina, Fred, & Mario. They divorced later, he married Elizabeth-Betty Hipp. He attended Weber State College and also he was a successful youth basketball head coach during those early years. He coached his son's teams the Roy Travelers to championships every season except for Mario's first year (but that's a Whole 'Nother story)! He topped it off with another championship with the Roy Sonics a year later.
Benny retired from HAFB after 36 years of distinguished service, finishing as the Hispanic Employment Program Manager for the Base. Benny was recognized by the U.S. Air Force in 1980 as the Most Outstanding Federal Hispanic Employment Manager in the entire USAF. Prior to that, he was active on the Equal Employment Opportunity Committee and many observance committees. He was Chief Advisor to the Native American Program. Benny served in the Army and Air Force Reserves and also with the Army National Guard and ultimately with the Air National Guard retiring with 29 years of military service. He held many vital positions in the Reserves, some of which were of vital importance. As a Linguist and Interpreter in Military Intelligence, he served special missions to Panama and Nicaragua.
Benny was a member of many organizations, including Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8307 (VFW), Disabled American Veterans Chapter 14 (DAV), American Legion Post #9 and the Combined Veterans Honor Guard. Benny served as commander for the Davis County DAV Chapter 14 and the DAV Department Chaplain for the state of Utah. As a member of the Combined Veterans Honor Guard, he donated 11,672 hours of service and performed north of 4,000 funeral military honors for his fallen comrades. Benny received many awards and recognition of service throughout his life. To highlight a few; he received the 2003 state of Utah Governor's Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2016 George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans and Military Affairs Distinguished Veteran, the 2013 VA/VS Volunteer of the Year for service at the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System. Finally, he was the Grand Marshal of the 2014 Ogden Veterans Day Parade.
Benny was and avid runner. He ran two St. George marathons and many 5K and 10K races. He ran daily up until his mid-70's and then switched to daily walking. He really missed running but is now running in heaven and loving it!
A devoted Christian, Benny's faith and commitment to serving others was evident in his daily walk. He served faithfully and held various positions in the churches he attended with prayer and Bible reading as central pillars. He genuinely loved his family and friends.
Benny is lovingly remembered by his three children; Angelina-Nina (Daniel) Coto, Frederick-Fred (Consuelo-Connie) Chavez, and Mario (Rebecca-Becky) Chavez.; seven grandchildren; Danett (Carlos) Arroyo, Jeremiah (Melissa) Coto, Andrew Coto, Tennielle Chavez Fuchs, Frederick Jr.-Freddie (Charise) Chavez, Bianca (Micah) Ball, and Marcus (Nikki) Chavez; twelve great-grandchildren; Jovanie (Tenzin) Tharchin, Dominique Arroyo, Mercedes Arroyo, Gabriella Coto, Sebastian Coto, Jon Marc Coto, Uriah Coto, Noah Coto, Madeline Fuchs, Olivia Fuchs, Tyler Fuchs and Brighton Marie Chavez; also his brother Robert L. Chavez and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Remigio and Lucy Chavez, first wife Vernie Lopez Vallez, second wife Betty Chavez, and his siblings Margaret, Helen, Celina, Felina, Fred, Clara, Virginia, Eleanor, and Mary Lou.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 am , Saturday 24 May, 2025 at Alpine Church, Layton Campus. 254 W. 2675 N. Layton, Utah.
Current Military and former Military members: Full Dress/Ceremonial Military Dress is encouraged to wear to honor our fallen comrade. Military Honors will be accorded following the service by the Combined Veterans Honor Guard.
A reception will be held in conclusion of the service in the main lobby. All are welcome to attend.
Our family thanks the staff at McKay-Dee Hospital and George E. Wahlen Veterans Home for their tender, loving care-giving of our Dad!
2 Timothy 4:7-8
“7. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing”.
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