Alfred Magnia Chavez Jr. of Corvallis, MT passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by family April 11, 2021, at the age of 80. He was preceded into death by his father Alfred Sr, mother Julia, wife Earlene, brothers, Jesse and Ernest, his sister Delores, his grandson Jayden and many others.
Alfred was born on January 21, 1941 in Victoria, Texas to Alfred Chavez Sr. and Julia Chavez. The family would travel back and forth from Texas to Montana and made their final
move to stay in the Valley in 1948 to work in the sugar beet fields. He loved and cherished all of his brothers and sisters, had the utmost respect for all of them, he became their father figure after the passing of their dad. He served in the United States Army from 1963-1965 in the fifth infantry division. This is where he finished his education and received his Operative Plasterers, and Cement Masons Certificate. In 1968, the family purchased a farm known as “The Ranch'' where they farmed potatoes and sold them to various restaurants and stores throughout the valley. He continued to manage the potato business through the remainder of his life. In 1970, he married the love of his life Earlene Chavez and started a family together.
Anyone that knew Jr., knew that he was the most honest, reliable, selfless, and hardest working man around. He took pride in everything he did , and he could do “anything”. He taught
his children to be respectful and honest, never judged, but helped them to make good decisions throughout their lives. He loved to work and never complained a day of his life. He started his own Concrete business in 1980 after traveling for years to get experience. He employed many family members and anyone who needed a job. He did an abundance of concrete jobs up and down every dirt road in the valley. He spent hourless days/nights plowing his fields and changing pipe for his potatoes (as this was his hobby). He loved riding his Massey Ferguson
tractor that he was so very proud of. He had many endless projects in his shop, and a cellar that kept him busy after the daylight ended. He worked 13-14 hour days before he got ill and hated every minute he wasn't working on the things he loved to do most.
Most of all he loved his family; he took his grandchildren everywhere with him. When Jr. went to church there were a string of his grandchildren behind him with donuts in hand. They
could not wait for Sundays. The kids could not wait to go see grandpa no matter what day it was. What happened at grandpas, stayed at grandpas. He was the grandpa who attended baseball games, basketball games, and dance recitals. The grandpa that was playful and made the best jokes. The grandpa with the biggest heart, biggest smile and the hardest working hands. He was very proud of his grandchildren and loved them all for who they were, and what they are all going to become.
He touched everyone he met with his special humble presence, that just made you feel honored to be around. He carried this presence everywhere he went. In his last days he was so
grateful for the family members that took the time to come and see him. It made his year. He will be greatly missed by everyone that knew and loved him. We will all be patiently waiting to see him again.
He is survived by his Five children and their spouses LaRee ( Steven Jessop) of Victor, Tina (Cesar Torres) of Hamilton, Alfred III of Hamilton, Tamara ( Ron Jessop) of Corvallis, and
Kayla ( Bob Gieskie), of Helena. His 17 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Numerous nieces and nephews. His brothers Joe Chavez of Blackfoot Id, Danny Chavez (Glenda) of
Freeport, Tx, Tony Chavez of Lubbock, Tx, Ray Chavez of Corvallis, Virginia Furlong (Dale) of Corvallis, Rosemary Purlee (John) of Corvallis, Margaret Devilla (Fabian) of Casa Grande, AZ.
Funeral services will be held at Daly Leach Chapel on April, 16th at 10:30 am. Graveside burial at Corvallis Cemetery, and reception to follow at “The Ranch”. Anyone is welcome to
attend.
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