Johnny Chavez

CHAVEZ, San Juan (JOHNNY) Serna (11/27/1929-12/28/2017)

has made his last trip to the casino. In his 88 years of life, he was loved by many and admired by even more. He was the youngest son of Alejandro and Solema Chavez. He often told stories of camping out with the sheep or helping his father make adobe bricks. Johnny only achieved an 8th grade education, yet he became a friend and a voice for so many who thought they would never be heard. With his incredible intelligence he became, amongst other positions, a Springerville City Councilman, Mayor and President of the Springerville School Board. His most recent honor was being named Grand Marshall of the Round Valley Rodeo Days parade this past summer. He worked 45 years as an electrician for Navopache Power and Light after returning from the Korean War. He was so proud to wear his Korean Veterans cap and to tell of his days as a combat engineer. But his proudest accomplishment was his family. Johnny is predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Cecelia (Sally) Vargas Chavez. He is survived by his sister, Irene Moya, his son, Johnny Vargas Chavez (Debbie) of Phoenix, and three daughters: Sadie Torres (Orlando) of Albuquerque, Bernice Chavez of Springerville, and Lorraine Alvarez (Rick) of Chandler. Other family includes 4 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. On Saturday, January 13, a rosary will be held at 9 am followed by a funeral mass at 10 am at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Springerville, AZ.