John Chavez, 84, of Laramie, passed away on October 30, 2024. He was born on March 8, 1940
John is survived by his ex-wife/companion, Julie Frausto, his daughters Regina “Gina” Chavez-Armijo (Trever Armijo), Benita “Dimples” “Nita” Chavez-Barros (Bart Barros), grandchildren, Rachael Barros-Routt (William Routt), Andrew Barros, Regina “Gina” Barros-Slater (Richard Slater), great grandchildren, Mika Routt, William Jr. Routt, Luciano Barros, Alina Barros, his brother, Tino Chavez (Terri Chavez) and sister, Glenda Espinoza (Eddie Espinoza) and his two fur-buddies, Buddy and Chula.
John loved the outdoors. He loved to be outside doing yard work. He loved to go fishing and camping in his younger days. He had a passion for reading especially books of historical wartime. He loved his coffee. He had a particular coffee that he always choose when out and about; McDonald’s coffee. He would save the McDonald’s coffee cups to use them for his next cup at home!
As a child, John grew up on the West Side neighborhood. He loved to spend time at the Laramie River with childhood friends. They ice skated, they built homemade rafts and floated them down stream. Diving into the river was popular in the buff at the Garfield bridge. They had a special place in the West Side neighborhood dubbed the Tarzan trees where he and his friends would hang ropes and swing from the trees. Trees that still exist today!
The Garfield footbridge was the perfect place to climb over the side and hang suspended with one arm, a bag tucked under the other and a flashlight gripped by one’s teeth while artfully and gracefully snatching an unsuspecting pigeon to add to one’s pigeon collection.
When he was a young man, he enjoyed his Karate lessons and tournaments with his good friend, Larry Kashiyama* and his brother-in-law, Pat Frausto. He was a staple at the Conquistador restaurant where he spent a portion of his weekend mornings kidding around with family, Richard and Bob Frausto.
John married and raised a family here in Laramie. He worked for a time at the P.F.E (Pacific Fruit Express) and the Union Pacific Railroad yard. He then migrated to the University of Wyoming. He retired from the University and moved to Denver, Colorado where he worked at the Denver Mint. When he returned to Laramie, he worked at Ivinson Memorial Hospital and St. Laurence school which remained his last place of employment.
His grandchildren were his pride and joy. When they were children, he would gather them up for a trip to the Baskin Robbins ice cream shop or a local doughnut shop on pay days.
John enjoyed building model wartime toys; airplanes, battle ships. He was a great story teller even the repeats were always fresh and fun to hear again.
John’s final hours were in the loving care of his long time companion, Julie.
Our companion, father, grandfather, friend and neighbor goes off on his journey with a cup full of love and joy.
John ‘s spirit has and will always be big, bold and loud. Those of us that have to learn to live without him in this world, carry him everywhere, every day as a permanent part of our spirit.
Visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m. Friday, November 8, 2024 followed by a Rosary at 5:00 p.m at St. Laurence O’Toole Catholic Church.
Funeral Liturgy will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 9, 2024 at St. Laurence O’Toole Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Greenhill Cemetery with Military Honors.
Gina, our hearts go out to you and your family, blessings to you all. Debbie and Angie Maes
So sad to hear of “Chavez” as I used to call him…. So many memories of him while I worked at st. Laurence school…. So much laughter I can still hear his voice as we took our breaks on the back porch… god bless u Mr. Chavez… you were so loved and will be missed and never forgotten 💙 RIP you beautiful soul
John was a great friend and a very good person. He will be greatly missed.
Gina-I’m so very sorry for your loss. Your Dad was a sweet man. I remember how all the little kids at St Laurence school called him Mr Chavez. Before I knew him I thought my daughter was saying Mr Travis. She set me straight. Hang onto the precious memories. 💙
His mother Comadre Rema and Compadre Richard are there to welcome him. They were so proud of their children. My mother and father loved their family and we all became part of their family while they were alive. RIP Johnny. Such kind and loving people.
Our heart felt condolences to our family, Julie, Gina, and Benita and their families, on the passing of my brother-in-law John (Johnny) M. Chavez of Laramie Wyoming. When I met John, I was just a young boy. His passing recently, at age 84 reminds me that at my age of 74, what John was to me. May John rest in peace and for me the memories of our time together, they will be a blessing. We don’t stand alone in life but on the shoulders of the people that that came before us and supported us because they cared. Those individuals formed our personalities and our character. John was this for me. My memories are of warm summer evenings as John would visit my family, just sitting around and talking as families get acquainted, laughing and talking and enjoying the moments. I remember the fishing pole that sat next to my bed all winter, waiting for the promised fishing excursion to the Snowy Range. The memories of yells in the forest, “I got one! I got one!”. John would teach me to fish and that became important to me growing up. I could tell when he was excited because there was a sparkle in his eye. I enjoyed the interactions between my dad and John. John would talk to me of his respect for my dad and his strength. I remember the laughing and fun John and I had as we drove his old green truck to Cheyenne to pick up my first motorcycle. Then he bought one also, which would someday be another passion to travel every state on motorcycles as an adult with my wife Sarah. He helped me buy my first car. John let me and my friends work on our cars in his garage. The memory is still crystal clear of Sarah and me sitting and watching television with Johnny and Julie and their family. John enjoyed studying military history of which he read quite a bit about. He would explain things that happened in history. Johnny served overseas in the army and he wrote back to me when he could. As time passed, my interest carried me to archery and the martial arts. John was there to not only encourage but to participate right along side of me always encouraging, always positive. John was my sponsor when it came time for my confirmation and I remember the calmness as he stood in church with me. I remember the trips to Yellowstone National Park with John and the family, which still draws me to that important natural space. As I’ve retired from a career in teaching, I can’t help believe that John’s company with this little kid, showed his influence when that little kid grew up to be a teacher, because he was a good one, along with all of the other people that helped my parents and sisters, Carmen and Jenny, raise me. So, for John (Johnny), thanks brother, for everything and God’s speed, as our mutual friend Larry said, this isn’t goodbye, but till we meet again. And to our family, John’s family, our prayers are with you.
Mr. Chavez, as we referred to him, taught many of us karate back in the 1970s. He was a great teacher and role model. My condolences and prayers.
My condolences to John's family. I knew John when he worked as the custodian at St. Laurence School where I worked as well as a teacher and principal. We had some great times together trying to fix up that 70 year old building and fighting over how strong to make the coffee each morning. John had a smile for every student he met in the course of his duties. I'll never forget when the school had a special "John Chavez Day" at St. Laurence School. The kids all made cards thanking him for his service and for his downright good humor. Of course, we all had doughnuts to celebrate as I recall. I know I speak for the past teachers and students of St. Laurence when I say we miss you greatly, friend. We will all see you in that Heavenly home where you'll be keeping that place spotless.